Utah Jazz Wrap Road Trip With Season-Worst Loss To Timberwolves
Nov 7, 2025, 9:39 PM | Updated: Nov 8, 2025, 12:48 am
Head coach Will Hardy of the Utah Jazz reacts (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz wrapped up their five-game road trip with a disappointing 1-4 record, capped by a lopsided 137-97 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Minnesota came out firing, racing to a 28-point lead in the first quarter and never looking back, cruising to a 40-point victory.
Related: Can the Jazz overcome the loss of Walker Kessler?
End of a Road Trip — or a Warning Sign?
Friday’s blowout could be chalked up to fatigue. The Jazz were playing their fifth game in eight nights across five cities. With a young roster eager to return home, the team may have simply run out of gas.
But there’s a more concerning possibility: this loss might signal deeper issues. The Jazz entered the season lacking proven veterans, and the season-ending injury to Walker Kessler has only thinned their rotation. Without him, the team has struggled to protect the rim and generate easy offense.
Minnesota exposed those weaknesses early, hitting nine of their first 12 shots at the rim. Meanwhile, the Jazz settled for jumpers and couldn’t find a rhythm.
The @utahjazz wrap up their five-game road trip with a 137-97 loss to the @timberwolves.
Jazz finish the trip 1-4.
Back home Monday against these same Wolves. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/rP1cqp38H9
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 8, 2025
“They got to their spots — pretty much anything they wanted,” head coach Will Hardy said. “We didn’t, and when we did get open looks, we didn’t shoot well again tonight. It’s a tough game to play when you’re down 28 at the end of the first quarter.”
The Jazz shot just 14-of-51 on attempts outside the paint, including a dismal 9-of-39 from three-point range. They’ve now failed to score more than 105 points in five straight games — their longest such streak since October of last season.
With nine of their next 11 games at the Delta Center, the Jazz have a chance to regroup and prove they can compete. But if they don’t show more energy and execution on both ends of the floor, this season could quickly slip away.
Bright Spot: Ace Bailey Hits Career High
Despite the blowout, rookie Ace Bailey offered a silver lining. The 19-year-old scored a career-high 12 points and grabbed six rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench.
Bailey missed his first three shots but found his rhythm, hitting four of his final six attempts — including both of his three-point tries.
This continues to be Ace Bailey’s best stuff offensively. Catch and go quickly, using one dribble to get from the three-point line to the basket. pic.twitter.com/9dEdQd69Tl
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) November 8, 2025
He also added three assists, showing flashes of the potential that makes him one of the team’s most intriguing young players.
Though he still rushes some shots as he adjusts to the NBA pace, Bailey’s development remains a key storyline for the Jazz this season, and so far, it’s been positive.
Hardy Not a Fan of Timberwolves Court
Friday’s game marked the Jazz’s second of four NBA In-Season Tournament group play matchups. They’re now 0-2 in Cup play after losses to Phoenix and Minnesota.
While the tournament has added early-season intrigue, the league’s bold court designs have drawn mixed reviews. Each team hosts two Cup games on custom floors featuring team colors and the In-Season Tournament trophy at center court.
Minnesota’s “Aurora Green” court, inspired by the northern lights, stood out — and not in a good way.
Will Hardy took a shot at the @timberwolves court after Friday’s loss:
“It’s an honor to wear an NBA jersey. It’s an honor to step on an NBA court, no matter how ugly that court is.” pic.twitter.com/ZVdpOepX2I
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) November 8, 2025
“It’s an honor to wear an NBA jersey. It’s an honor to step on an NBA court, no matter how ugly that court is,” Hardy said when asked how he wanted his team to respond to the blowout.
The Jazz will unveil their own NBA Cup court on November 21 when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Next Utah Jazz Broadcast
The Jazz will return home to host the Minnesota Timberwolves at 7 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
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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.
