In a challenging matchup on February 26, 2025, the Utah Jazz, hampered by the absence of key veterans, fell to the Sacramento Kings 118-101 in Salt Lake City. The Kings’ Keegan Murray led all scorers with 26 points, while Zach LaVine added 22 points and eight rebounds, and DeMar DeRozan contributed 19 points and eight assists. Jonas Valanciunas provided a significant boost off the bench with 15 points and seven rebounds. Sacramento’s efficient shooting—52.9% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc—propelled them to their fifth win in seven games.
For the Jazz, center Walker Kessler delivered an impressive performance, recording 25 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists. KJ Martin added 16 points, Brice Sensabaugh contributed 12, and Keyonte George chipped in 11 points. Despite a competitive first half, Utah couldn’t maintain momentum, marking their seventh loss in nine games.
Notably absent from the Jazz lineup was guard Jordan Clarkson, whose scoring prowess was sorely missed. Clarkson’s absence, combined with the depleted roster, left Utah struggling to find offensive rhythm and defensive cohesion. The Jazz managed to tie the game at 22 in the first quarter and even initiated a 13-5 run early in the third quarter to narrow the gap to 60-59. However, the Kings responded with a decisive 7-0 surge, extending their lead and ultimately securing a comfortable victory.
This loss underscores the challenges faced by the short-handed Jazz, who are navigating a grueling nine-game homestand with a 2-4 record thus far. The absence of key players like Clarkson has amplified the team’s struggles, highlighting the need for depth and resilience as they aim to rebound in the upcoming games.
