SALT LAKE CITY — Will Hardy wants his team to flip the narrative.
Yes, the Utah Jazz are young — and that comes with its share of disadvantages. But Hardy sees it differently.
“We can’t only look at the downsides of youth,” he said. “Sure, there are moments we haven’t been in as a group, and there’s a lack of experience in certain situations. But we should be an energetic team. We want to be the best-conditioned team in the league. We want to flip the narrative on its head. There are negatives to being young, but there are also a lot of positives.”
For one night, at least, consider that narrative flipped.
The energetic, youthful Jazz blasted the veteran LA Clippers 129-108 to open the 2025–26 season. And if first impressions mean anything, this group might not be as bad as many predicted.
Utah delivered a masterclass in the first quarter, racing out to a 43-19 lead.
Everything clicked in those opening 12 minutes. Lauri Markkanen slipped around screens for easy buckets at the rim; Walker Kessler dominated as a roller — and even knocked down a pair of threes; Keyonte George kept the ball moving, and crisp big-to-big passing led to a steady stream of high-percentage shots; Walter Clayton Jr. looked every bit like the player who led Florida to a national title last spring.
The list went on — and honestly, it never really stopped.
Kessler finished with 22 points and nine rebounds, Markkanen added 20 points, and George chipped in 16 points and nine assists. The Jazz totaled 38 assists to just 12 turnovers — a stat Hardy will surely love.
Funny enough, one of the few players who didn’t fully stand out was also the one fans were most eager to see. Rookie Ace Bailey, who was on a minutes restriction after battling an illness over the last week, had just one basket in his debut. But it was a loud one — a thunderous one-handed breakaway dunk that brought the crowd to its feet.
Utah led by as many as 37 points and never allowed the Clippers to mount a serious comeback.
The reason? Defense — perhaps the best defensive performance of the Hardy era.
After ranking last in the NBA in defensive efficiency the past two seasons, the Jazz looked transformed. They swarmed to the ball, clogged passing lanes, and used their size to dominate the paint. Starting an all-big frontcourt of Markkanen, Filipowski, and Kessler, Utah held the Clippers to 44% shooting and recorded 11 steals.
It was the kind of effort that can change a perception.
For one night, at least, the Jazz started to flip the narrative.
This story will be updated.