Jazz Can’t Withstand Thunder Athleticism In Loss

SALT LAKE CITY—The Oklahoma City Thunder built a double-digit lead early and never looked back, coasting to a 130-107 win over the Utah Jazz.

The Jazz (13-42) hosted the Western Conference-leading OKC Thunder (45-10) at Delta Center on Friday, February 21. The Jazz are half a game better than New Orleans in the West but have the third-worst record in the league.

back at it tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/F53JGHDTKi

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 22, 2025

Oklahoma City is 2-0 against Utah this season, winning 133-106 in early December and downing the Jazz 123-114 one month ago.

Williams’ Brothers are eager to face each other on an NBA court

Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams is a 6’6, 220-pound wing in his third season after being the 12th overall selection in the 2022 NBA draft out of Santa Clara, the same school that produced Steve Nash decades ago.

A budding star on one of the league’s most exciting teams, Williams was selected as an All-Star for the first time this year. He is also the older brother of Jazz rookie forward Cody Williams.

Cody and Jalen face each other on the court tonight for the first time ever in a professional game 👀

Make sure to tune in to tonight’s game on KJZZ & JAZZ+ to catch the full sit-down interview with the Williams brothers 🫶#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/xkWXI7z8ct

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 21, 2025

Cody, a 6’7, 190-pound guard, has a long way to go before reaching his brother’s success. Still, Utah is banking on Cody’s development being similar to his older sibling’s meteoric rise.

The elder Williams played 75 games as a rookie. He finished second to Paolo Banchero in Rookie of the Year voting after averaging 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.4 steals.

Cody hasn’t come close to reaching those marks through 29 games. Fresh off of his freshman season at Colorado, Cody averages 3.9 points, two rebounds, and 1.3 assists with poor shooting numbers.

Brotherhood.

Jalen Williams x Cody Williams https://t.co/Jpfdnc2tNj pic.twitter.com/6up9J4sBTj

— NBA (@NBA) January 23, 2025

It’s important to note that Jalen played three years of college basketball, gaining significantly more strength and experience before ascending to the NBA. While Jalen was 21 when OKC picked him, Cody turned 20 a day after the Jazz lost on the road to LeBron James and the Lakers.

Williams is perhaps the most important player on the Jazz roster, considering the season-ending leg fracture suffered by Taylor Hendricks, last season’s first-round selection. If the former Buffalo can scratch the ceiling his brother has reached, Danny Ainge and the Jazz may have hit a home run in an otherwise down draft.

Utah Jazz Injury Report

OUT – Collin Sexton (ankle)

OUT – Taylor Hendricks (leg)

Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report

OUT – Ajay Mitchell (toe)

OUT – Nikola Topic (knee)

Pregame

KJ Martin is available to make his @utahjazz debut tonight, per the team.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 21, 2025

it sure is good to be home 🥰🏡 pic.twitter.com/fPF5EEy1y3

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 22, 2025

JC🎷IC🎷LM🎷JC🎷WK🎷#StartingLineup presented by @ZionsBank pic.twitter.com/zs953sF0Fc

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 22, 2025

LISTEN LIVE: @utahjazz are back from the All-Star break to face the @okcthunder at Delta Center on the @kslsports app, @KSLSportsZone and:https://t.co/zbsxT56Wno pic.twitter.com/iBPuwW9sQ1

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 22, 2025

First Quarter

With 6:39 left in the first quarter the @utahjazz trail the @okcthunder 14-10.

Quick 7 points from John Collins. #TakeNote

pic.twitter.com/FMEPrNyMwB

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 22, 2025

early game flame? count on it 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9WJPryRWIa

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 22, 2025

The @utahjazz trail the @okcthunder 29-22.

Jazz shoot just 8-24 from the floor in the first quarter. #TakeNotepic.twitter.com/UyFoUwpXsJ

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 22, 2025

Second Quarter

Good second quarter from the @utahjazz who trail the @okcthunder by 39-33.

Jazz are shooting 4-6 in the period. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/HfWuBVuCOv

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 22, 2025

it's a family business 🤞🖤#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/kO9xcY6uu1

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 22, 2025

The @utahjazz definitely added some athleticism on the perimeter with KJ Martin and Jaden Springer.

Also gives you a taste of why a Cooper Flagg or even a VJ Edgecombe would be welcome additions.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 22, 2025

Zay has 𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 dimes already, including four to John 👀 pic.twitter.com/nMTKdrkMtE

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 22, 2025

Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren are killing the Jazz on both ends.

Too long defensively, too much skill offensively.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 22, 2025

At the break the @Utahjazz trail the @okcthunder 68-47.

Jazz lost containment midway through the second quarter and it was all OKC to close the half. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/jEmubmgOTN

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 22, 2025

Third Quarter

High-flying John Collins throws down 🔨 for the @utahjazz https://t.co/29ABvlG00o

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 22, 2025

Back to back threes from Keyonte George and the @utahjazz trail the @okcthunder 88-73.

George has 15 points on 5-7 shooting. Isaiah Collier has added 10 assists. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/NmEU5Sim9p

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 22, 2025

Through three the @utahjazz trail the @okcthunder 99-83.

John Collins has 22 points to lead the Jazz. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/FXXZMk3rRq

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 22, 2025

Fourth Quarter

Key three counter: 🔑🔑🔑🔑🔑 pic.twitter.com/p2EKoA0GWI

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 22, 2025

👀Another John Collins 🔨https://t.co/KyW1UgeyYQ

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 22, 2025

KJ Martin certainly carries himself like an NBA player on the floor.

With so much youth on the Jazz, having another guy who knows he belongs can be helpful.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 22, 2025

New @utahjazz acquisition KJ Martin denies 🛑 Chet Holmgren at the rim 💪https://t.co/MSrd3aMvU6

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 22, 2025

The @utahjazz fall to the @okcthunder 130-107.

John Collins and Keyonte George combine for 46 points.

Walker Kessler adds 19 rebounds in the loss. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/hIlUi6rdC2

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 22, 2025

Jazz-Thunder Gameday Reading

• KJ Martin Available For Jazz Debut Against Thunder

• Ryan Smith On Rebuild: “We’re Hoping To Do Something Different From Jazz History”

• Brice Sensabaugh Gets Engaged Over All-Star Break

• Next 10 Games Are Most Important Stretch Of Jazz Season

• Report: Jazz Sign Former Tennessee Guard To 10-Day Contract

• Jazz Mailbag: Should Team Have Kept Mitchell Or Gobert?

• Keyonte George Nails Three In All-Star Game With Rising Stars Squad

• Keyonte George Hits Rising Stars Championship Game-Winner

• John Stockton Reacts To Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl Shoutout

• Clippers Duo Sinks Jazz, Utah Falls In Overtime Before All-Star Break

• Utah Jazz Mailbag: How Does 2025 Draft Impact Current Youth?

• Undersized Jazz Struggle In 130-110 Loss To Clippers

• Isaiah Collier Sets Utah Jazz History In First Half Against Suns

Follow the Utah Jazz with KSL Sports

Tonight’s game against the Thunder 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.

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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 and Instagram at @bpreece24.