New-look Utah Jazz ride early lead to preseason win over Nuggets
Oct 4, 2026, 7:42 PM | Updated: 7:44 pm
BOULDER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 4: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz passes the ball to Keyonte George #3 in the first half of a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets at CU Event Center on October 4, 2026 in Boulder, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
BOULDER, Colo. — The Utah Jazz took the court for the first time since April and secured a 109-97 win over the Denver Nuggets at CU Events Center on Sunday.
Lauri Markkanen led the team with a game-high 17 points. Keyonte George and Jaren Jackson Jr. followed up with 15 and 11 points, respectively.
first (preseason) win ✅ https://t.co/v6b7PX7ZTr
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 5, 2026
Utah’s First Five
Head coach Will Hardy rolled out Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson, Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Jusuf Nurkic as the starting lineup in game one of the preseason.
Although it is valuable intel, I would hesitate to say those are the guaranteed opening night starters for the Jazz.
Over the last four seasons under Hardy, just 10 of 19 preseason games featured the same starting lineup that would be seen in game one of 82. That drops to one out of four when narrowing the scope to just the first preseason game.
The Utah Jazz starting lineup tonight:
Keyonte George
Darryn Peterson
Lauri Markkanen
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jusuf Nurkic#TakeNote | @kslsports
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) October 4, 2026
Markkanen and Jackson Jr.’s nights came to an end at halftime. With some third-quarter burn, George, Peterson, and Ace Bailey were the team leaders in minutes played.
Young Core Shows Highs And Lows
As could be expected, Peterson showed flashes in his first NBA action since summer league, but also went through some rough stretches.
The rookie finished with three points, six rebounds, two assists, and one steal on 1/5 shooting. His only bucket came off a handoff from Nurkic, which led to a baseline floater.
The little body bump to create space 🤌
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) October 4, 2026
Bailey, who notably put on 10-12 pounds this offseason and emphasized playing with physicality this summer, looked great on both ends in his 20 minutes. He finished with 10 points, five rebounds, and two stocks on 50 percent shooting.
Two of his five boards were offensive, and there was a clear willingness to use his body with a handful of gritty plays.
George went to the locker room after getting hit in the mouth in the second quarter, but returned in the third and ultimately ended up playing 21 minutes and posting 15 points.
Newly Acquired Jazzmen Make Their Marks
Jazz fans got their first extended look at Josh Okogie and Jaxson Hayes against the Nuggets.
Okogie finished with three points, one rebound, and one assist. Hayes filled up the stat sheet with two points, three rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.
Both provided quality minutes on the defensive end, Okogie with his intensity and Hayes with his size and vocal presence.
Jazz vs. Nuggets Preseason Quick Hits
- Kyle Filipowski (lower back), Josh Green (left knee), and Brice Sensabaugh (left hip) didn’t suit up in Boulder.
- In his pre-game availability, Hardy said that sharing the ball was a training camp emphasis for the team. Over 70 percent of Utah’s field goals were assisted on against Denver.
- All of Utah’s key rotational pieces sat in the fourth quarter. Blake Hinson, Mo Bamba, Harrison Ingram, Tamar Bates, and Jonas Aidoo outscored the Nuggets’ reserves and extended the lead, winning the final frame 21-20.
- The Jazz return home to host an open practice at the Delta Center on Monday, followed by a Nuggets rematch on Tuesday. The team will then enjoy a five-day break before hosting the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, October 12.
