Jazz Battle Back, Take Down Mavericks In Gutsy Performance
Jan 8, 2026, 9:21 PM | Updated: 9:22 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - DECEMBER 15: Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz dribbles the ball past Naji Marshall #13 of the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of the game at Delta Center on December 15, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Lauri Markkanen was consistent, and Keyonte George became the finisher for the Utah Jazz in a thrilling 116-114 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
The Jazz (13-24, 13th in West) return home from a winless road trip to host the Mavericks (14-24, 11th in West) at Delta Center on Thursday, January 8.
The @utahjazz snap their five-game losing streak, beating the @dallasmavs 116-114.
Lauri Markkanen led all scorers with 33. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/4qOckzmQF6
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 9, 2026
Markkanen finished with a game-high 33 points, leading five Jazz players in double-figure scoring.
George and Brice Sensabaugh combined for 33 points on 14-of-24 shooting, showing a potential backcourt duo.
Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 26 points and ten rebounds in the loss.
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Pregame
Jazz Injury Report:
*OUT – Ace Bailey (left hip flexor; strain) https://t.co/CbH2KHBg0B
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 8, 2026
Lauri and Keyonte have each scored 25 or more points in the same game 13 times this season 🇫🇮🔑
That is five more such games than the next closest duo in the NBA 📈#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/l5BEkhqBLF
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 8, 2026
Jusuf Nurkic: Also out
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 9, 2026
Cody's first start of the season! 👏#StartingLineup pic.twitter.com/VoNE15zmVZ
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 9, 2026
LISTEN LIVE: @utahjazz welcome Cooper Flagg and the @dallasmavs to Delta Center on the @kslsports app, @KSLSportsZone and:https://t.co/8gK6mTkdV1 pic.twitter.com/6ST8RSWU4T
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 9, 2026
First Quarter
Anthony Davis, a player often heard in trade rumors with the deadline less than a month away, scored four quick points as Dallas built an 8-3 lead to begin the night.
one thing about Cody is… he's gonna 𝗗𝗨𝗡𝗞 💥 pic.twitter.com/TwWdWuSyYf
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 9, 2026
Cody Williams made his first start of the season and used the opportunity to throw down consecutive alley-oop dunks to give his team a 16-13 lead.
Williams has six points in the early going.
Midway through the first, the @utahjazz lead the @dallasmavs 16-13.
Bad news, Kevin Love appears to be playing hurt after taking a knee to the thigh to open the game.
Jazz are already without Jusuf Nurkic tonight. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/r5cgsbUJWY
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 9, 2026
Cody Williams Dunk Counter:
4 straight games with dunks https://t.co/Ds2AcDPncU
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 9, 2026
Utah shot 58 percent in the opening quarter, but allowed the Mavs to hit 54 percent of their looks, taking a 34-29 lead after one.
A balanced attack saw Markkanen lead the team with seven points, followed by six from Cody Williams. George and Brice Sensabaugh scored five points each.
Cooper Flagg led all scorers with ten points.
After one the @utahjazz lead the @dallasmavs 34-29.
Nice first quarter from Cody Williams who has 6 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/iMOarmH9I0
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 9, 2026
Second Quarter
Veteran center Kevin Love returned to the floor to open the period after appearing limited early in the night.
Another vet, seldom-used Kyle Anderson, entered the lineup late in the first period. He remained in the lineup to open the second period.
Midway through the second, the @utahjazz lead the @dallasmavs 45-35.
Jazz have been better than Dallas throughout the night, but haven't fully pulled away. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/qhzlUT5qp2
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 9, 2026
At the break, the @utahjazz lead the @dallasmavs 58-55.
Very poor close to the half from the Jazz who couldn't slow down Cooper Flagg or Anthony Davis. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/bHlAW4EEiH
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 9, 2026
Markkanen finished the first half with 15 points, five rebounds, and two blocks in 20 minutes. Walt Clayton Jr. came off the bench to nail a trio of threes in only eight minutes.
Third Quarter
The @utahjazz lead the @dallasmavs 80-76 with 4:36 left in the third.
Jazz are against struggling from three, knocking down just 8-26. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/CFU5mLq1bL
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 9, 2026
Dallas came out of a timeout with a 6-0 to grab an 82-80 lead late in the third period.
The Mavericks outscored Utah 34-30 in the quarter to take a one-point lead into the final 12 minutes.
The @utahjazz trail the @dallasmavs 89-88 heading into the fourth quarter.
Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis have combined for 41 points. #TakeNotepic.twitter.com/4YFQjdrUyg
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 9, 2026
Fourth Quarter
Dallas went on a 7-0 run midway through the quarter to grab a 107-100 lead with 4:39 left.
A quick 6-0 run has allowed the Jazz to retake a 109-107 lead.
Some of the best late-game play we've seen from Lauri Markkenen during his career in Utah.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 9, 2026
Cooper Flagg needed a road map trying to guard Keyonte George there.
Turned him around, then hit him with the step back.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 9, 2026
Follow the Utah Jazz with KSL Sports
The Jazz welcome the Charlotte Hornets to town on Saturday, January 10. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. MT.
All Jazz games will be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM). KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) occasionally broadcasts Jazz games.
Utah Jazz fans can watch the team’s games next season for free over the air on KJZZ TV and can stream the games through a paid streaming-based platform on the team’s website. KJZZ is currently broadcast on channel 14.1.
Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10- 12 p.m. with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
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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, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
