BYU, Utah Jazz Celebrate Pair Of Victories Over Orlando Teams

SALT LAKE CITY – The BYU Cougars and Utah Jazz are the Kings of Orlando for a day after handing UCF and the Orlando Magic Saturday afternoon losses. The Cougars recognized the Magic City coincidence, recognizing the moment on social media. The Jazz responded with a handshake emoji, acknowledging Saturday’s victories.

The Jazz (11-36) hosted the Orlando Magic (24-26), while the Cougars (15-6, 6-4) took on the UCF Knights (13-8, 4-6) in Orlando, Florida.

😏🤝

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 2, 2025

BYU withstands Knights’ late rally

BYU won its fourth straight, picking up a Quad One road win with an 81-75 win. Keiba Queta was an anchor down the stretch, draining two clutch free throws and defending the basket with unmatched intensity to stave off the comeback-minded Knights.

BYU junior Richie Saunders led all scorers with 22 points on 8-for-14 shooting from the field. It was Saunders’ fifth game, reaching the 20-point mark in Big 12 play. He knocked down six three-pointers in the win.

BYU vs UCF || FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS pic.twitter.com/VpLZCEnDry

— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) February 2, 2025

BYU’s Mawot Mag scored 16 of his 19 points in the second half. Mag had the task of defending Hall on the opposite end.

Along with Saunders and Mag, BYU had Trevin Knell (15) and Keba Keita (10) score in double-figures.

Utah topples Magic to end losing streak

The Utah Jazz broke their season-long eight-game losing streak while sweeping the season series with the Orlando Magic in a 113-99 win at Delta Center on Saturday.

𝐒𝐈𝐗 guys in double figures made for a ✨fun✨ team win#TakeNote presented by @LVT_USA pic.twitter.com/LiNwa2EBPA

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 2, 2025

Utah caught Orlando on a bad shooting night and took advantage from the jump. They went up by double digits in the first quarter and led by as much as 21. The Magic managed 99 points on 30-of-91 shooting, including 9-of-41 from the three-point line.

Other than Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony, who had 37 and 23, respectively, the Magic had no reliable sources of offense. Meanwhile, six Jazzmen reached the double-figure mark. Collin Sexton led the way with 22 points and eight assists.

Jazz deal Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills to Clippers

Danny Ainge, Justin Zanik, and the Utah Jazz started their trade deadline moves early on Saturday. Five days before the 1 p.m. MT deadline on February 6, the Jazz agreed to send center Drew Eubanks and point guard Patty Mills to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for P.J. Tucker, Mo Bamba, and a future second-round pick.

Brought in as a veteran voice, Mills has played 17 games, averaging 4.4 points and 1.2 assists while playing sparingly. A seven-year pro, Eubanks has offered valuable minutes for an injury-plagued frontline. The Former Oregon State Beaver averaged 5.8 points and 4.5 rebounds. More importantly, Eubanks provided near-replacement-level production and a steadying force in the middle.

“Both of those guys are representative of everything that we want to stand for,” Hardy said after the trade.

“I think both of those guys have an intense work ethic,” Hardy added. “They have the ability to be a part of a group, give themselves to a group. They have enough humility to know that it’s not about them every day.”

Both Patty Mills and Drew Eubanks earned the praise of @utahjazz head coach Will Hardy after Saturday's trade with the @laclippers.

“Both of those guys are representative of everything that we want to stand for.”#TakeNotehttps://t.co/SdUoe99taX

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 1, 2025

Mills’ contract is an expiring $2-million deal. Eubanks is under contract this year and next, though his $4.75 million is non-guaranteed for the 2025-26 season.

Utah will be the fifth team in Mo Bamba’s career. The 7’0, 26-year-old center was the No. 6 overall pick in 2018 but has not lived up to the hype. Bamba averages 4.6 points and 4.3 boards while shooting 30 percent from three and 46.6 percent overall.

P.J. Tucker is a well-traveled NBA veteran in his 14th season. He has career averages of 6.6 points and 5.4 rebounds in 883 games. Tucker has not played a game in 2024-25.

Both candidates to be bought out, Hardy mentioned he was unsure of the future of Tucker and Bamba in Utah.

Jazz-Magic Gameday Reading

• Utah Jazz Host Orlando Magic In 3 P.M. Matinee Game

• Jazz Trade Eubanks, Mills For Tucker, Bamba, 2nd-Round Pick

• Utah Jazz Trade Deadline Primer 2025

• Jazz Part Owner Dwyane Wade Opens Up About Cancer, Kidney Surgery

• Timberwolves Hand Jazz Eighth Straight Loss In Blowout

• Jazz Guard Keyonte George Named To Rising Stars Team

• Mailbag: What Could Lakers Trade For Walker Kessler?

• Mailbag: What Will Happen At Trade Deadline?

• Intriguing Jazz Mock Draft Includes BYU Standout

• Jazz Mailbag: What Does Future Backcourt Look Like?

• Jazz Notes: Is Utah In A Good Position For A Top Pick?

Follow the Utah Jazz with KSL Sports

Tonight’s game against the Timberwolves is being televised on KJZZ, streamed on SEG+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.

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. 

Find sports.ksl.com coverage of the Utah Jazz here.

Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect; give us a follow @kslsports.

Take us with you wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio and video and stay updated on all your favorite teams.

Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X and Instagram at @bpreece24. 

Follow @bpreece24