Scrappy Utah Jazz tie franchise record in loss to Denver Nuggets
Mar 27, 2026, 10:47 PM
Utah Jazz guard John Konchar (55) listens to head coach Will Hardy (Credit: Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
(Credit: Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz nearly stunned the Denver Nuggets on the road, but ultimately fell 135-129.
The Jazz led 120-107 with just under seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, but were outscored 28-9 to close the game as Denver prevailed against the severely shorthanded visiting roster.
Kyle Filipowski recorded 25 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in 25 minutes, while Cody Williams added 24 points and seven assists against the West’s fourth-seeded team.
The @utahjazz led 120-107 midway through the fourth quarter, but were outscored 28-9 to close, and fell 135-129 to the @nuggets.
Kyle Filipowski and Cody Williams combined for 49 points, but played just 2:55 total minutes in the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/m8ArfwMmn1
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 28, 2026
Related: Utah Jazz fall apart late, drop fourth straight game in Denver
The Jazz shot 56 percent from the floor against the hapless Nuggets’ defense, notching an impressive 34 assists, and converting 42 of 58 near the rim, tying a franchise record 84 points in the paint.
“It’s cutting, rolling, hard drives when we create seams for each other,” Jazz coach Will Hardy explained of his team’s success. “It’s really fun to watch. This is a very fun group to coach, and I just hope that our fans appreciate and recognize how hard this group is playing.”
The Nuggets were led by Nikola Jokic, who recorded a 33-point, 15-rebound, 12-assist triple-double, but committed an uncharacteristic seven turnovers.
John Konchar’s role coming into view
With most of the Jazz’s projected 2026-27 rotation sidelined by injuries, several players logging extended minutes are effectively auditioning for roster spots next season.
While some of those players are benefiting from unsustainable spikes in usage, John Konchar stands out as someone filling a role that could realistically translate to next season’s playoff push.
Entering Friday’s game, Konchar was averaging 12.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over his previous three outings, while shooting 54 percent from the field and 33 percent from 3-point range.
it’s a Jitty 𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗬 🥳🎉 pic.twitter.com/XNYUzWjql5
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 28, 2026
Against Denver, the veteran wing delivered 16 points, eight rebounds, and two assists in 30 minutes off the bench.
Since joining the Jazz in February, Konchar also leads the team in steals, collecting 32 in 18 appearances.
More important than the box-score numbers, however, is his overall impact on the game.
Konchar is a legitimate two-way player who contributes on both ends of the floor. He consistently hustles on defense and makes sound decisions offensively, both with and without the ball in his hands.
Between Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Ace Bailey, the Jazz are positioned to have a dangerous scoring punch next season, but they’ll still need role players who can serve as connective pieces throughout the roster.
If they are on the Jazz roster next year (who knows), John Konchar and Svi Mykhailiuk could be a headache for opposing teams just because they play so hard.
Solid depth pieces who demand attention with their constant movement.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) March 28, 2026
Some games demand ball movement, others require rim pressure, while others may depend on offensive rebounding, and Konchar has shown he can do it all.
The Illinois native is unlikely to maintain the nearly 30 minutes he has averaged over his last four games. But if he continues to show the same level of effort that he displayed against Denver, he can carve out a meaningful role with the Jazz.
Next Utah Jazz Broadcast
The Jazz will travel to face the Phoenix Suns on Saturday at 8 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.
