Utah Jazz Face Charlotte Hornets In Critical Game For Standings
Mar 31, 2025, 2:03 PM
Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) works to get away from the Charlotte Hornets (Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
(Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz will travel to face the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night in a game that could play a critical role in the final lottery standings.
The Jazz are coming off a loss in Denver to open a five-game road stand, while the Hornets fell to the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday.
Related: Jazz Doomed By Poor Shooting In Denver
Jazz Vs. Hornets Has Major Draft Implications
The Jazz enter Monday’s game with the worst record in the NBA: 16-59, half a game ahead of the 16-58 Washington Wizards and 2.5 games clear of the 18-56 Hornets.
A victory in Charlotte would leave the Jazz and Hornets separated by only one game in the win column, while moving Utah ahead of the Wizards with just six games left to play.
According to Tankathon.com, the Jazz have the most difficult schedule remaining of the three teams, ranking ninth-hardest in the NBA. The Hornets have the 13th most difficult schedule, while the Wizards own the 17th hardest.
Charlotte loses to New Orleans and gets some more breathing room on the top 3https://t.co/7M67xX52Qy pic.twitter.com/MwOfsZrHYD
— Tankathon.com (@tankathon) March 31, 2025
Regardless of Monday’s outcome, however, the Jazz, Hornets, and Wizards are overwhelmingly likely to have the same odds of landing a top-four pick in May’s draft lottery.
The teams with the three worst records in the NBA each share a 52 percent chance of dating in the top four, and a 48 percent chance of drafting fifth or lower.
But, the team that finishes with the worst record in the NBA can fall now further than fifth, the team that finishes with the second-worst record can fall no further than sixth, and the team that closes with the third-worst record can fall as far as seven.
Utah Jazz Injury Report
QUESTIONABLE – Collin Sexton (bone bruise)
QUESTIONABLE – Cody Williams (illness)
OUT – Jordan Clarkson (foot)
OUT – Lauri Markkanen (knee)
OUT – John Collins (ankle)
OUT – Taylor Hendricks (leg)
OUT – Walker Kessler (conditioning)
Charlotte Hornets Injury Report
PROBABLE – Seth Curry (knee)
PROBABLE – Josh Green (shoulder)
OUT – LaMelo Ball (ankle)
OUT – Brandon Miller (wrist)
OUT – Tre Mann (back)
OUT – Josh Okogie (hamstring)
OUT – Grant Williams (knee)
Next Utah Jazz Broadcast
The Jazz will travel to face the Charlotte Hornets on Monday at 5 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports.
Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
