Game Thread Jan 20, 2026 07:00PM MT: Minnesota Timberwolves @ Utah Jazz

[SoberasHotRod]

Here are my two cents:

- Our half-court defense was, for the most part, pretty solid. We let them run in the first quarter even after made baskets, and in the third quarter both the offense and defense fell apart when Nurk was on the bench. Outside of that, good stuff.
- Great game from Ace, but I didn’t see much he wouldn’t also do alongside Lauri, aside from those awkward ISO possessions that didn’t lead to anything.
- Great second half from Collier. He looked like a completely different player once we got some stops and he was able to push the pace on offense.

A defense with Cody, Ace, and Nurk isn't top 10 in the NBA, but it is better than 30th.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

A defense with Cody, Ace, and Nurk isn't top 10 in the NBA, but it is better than 30th.

Also think Minnesota is an easier team to guard. Not a lot of shooters, so Utah's pack the paint mentality and poor rotations aren't as exposed

 

[fishonjazz]

My nephew (I think he is 10 years old) who loves playing basketball got to go to this game and it was the first game he has ever been to. They live in Duchesne and had to drive a few hours for the game so Im happy he got to see a fun jazz win.
He is a big Keyonte fan now.

 

[Tanktastic]

FWIW Lauri's illness was confirmed legitimate by Zach Lowe today

Where was this?

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Where was this?

Zach's pod yesterday

 

[donAZ62]

The more I watch Collier the less I like him.

I am curious exactly what it is that you dislike about him. Like most young guards you can complain about his defense- as he is learning the most difficult offensive position to translate college experience to the NBA. But he has increased his shooting % from 42 to 51, and 3 pt % from 25 to 33- giving him sc-eff numbers 4th on the team not far behind Keyonte. and Lauri. He is top 10 in the league in assists per min. If you focus on results and not whatever your eyes are focusing on-- it is pretty hard to argue that his second year is impressive for a late first round pick...

 

[Schrödinger's Gerbil]

Birdman!

View attachment 19980

The tattoo remorse is strong with this one.

Seriously, though, tattoos aren't like hairdos, clothing, furniture, cars, etc., all other markers of fashion that cycle in and out over time and that people constantly replace or upgrade, often because they are tired of them and want something different. People grow and change over their lives, as do their preferences, beliefs, habits, and so on. Tattoos, however, are permanent markers of what someone was at a specific point in their life, not replaceable, not upgradable, with no change in preference, and so on. It's entirely implausible for me to accept that the world isn't full of the tatted-up who are not seriously regretting their decision to tatt up their bodies and wishing they could de-tatt. Nothing on earth or in your life is permanent...except your tattoos. (I get there's tattoo removal, but try removing all those covering Birdman's body.) I suspect as well that in many cases, the decision to get tattoos was less a marker of one's individuality than an act of conformity to one's then-referent group. (There are few true individualists; most people have a primary referent group or groups to whom they conform their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. We need to look no further than the NBA, where generations of players have tatted up their bodies, slaves to the prevailing NBA tattoo fetish and rote conformity.) Making such permanent decisions to signal one's membership in their then-referent group may not be the wisest choice; after all, referent groups also change over one's life.

It strikes me that the decision to cover one's body in garish art should involve a bit more introspection than it appears to receive in many cases.

 

[KqWIN]

Thought the Jazz played good defense in the second half, especially that unit who cut the lead down. I think we forced three straight turnovers which is not something that happens often. That really ignited the comeback.

But it’s also easier to defend when teams aren’t making their shots. On another good shooting night that could be another 130 point game.

Between our great individual performances and the 14/47 shooting from the Wolves we weren’t going to lose this one. Very fun game to watch.

 

[Schrödinger's Gerbil]

Thought the Jazz played good defense in the second half, especially that unit who cut the lead down. I think we forced three straight turnovers which is not something that happens often. That really ignited the comeback.

But it’s also easier to defend when teams aren’t making their shots. On another good shooting night that could be another 130 point game.

Between our great individual performances and the 14/47 shooting from the Wolves we weren’t going to lose this one. Very fun game to watch.

Sometimes in this crazy tanking world, you just gotta sit back and enjoy the show and allow yourself to get caught up in the moment, and not worry about the "big picture" on those rare occasions when you're afforded the opportunity, such as this case when the youngsters ball out.