INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Utah Jazz fought the good fight but came up just short against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome on Thursday.

Without Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George, the Jazz kept it close against the fully-loaded Clippers through the fourth quarter.

If it weren’t for a fourth-quarter explosion from Kawhi Leonard, who finished with 45 points, Utah would’ve stayed within single digits.

Instead, following the 118-101 loss, the Jazz will head up to the Bay Area to take on the Golden State Warriors later this week.

Pregame

big city, bright lights, fire fits 🔥#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/mpPdBdSxy7

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

locked in and unbothered 🔒🧘‍♂️#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/SDNDoPMZ6U

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

Zay 🪩
Brice 🕺
Svi 🎷
Taylor 🎉
Kyle 🥳#StartingLineup pic.twitter.com/0PCZPafRNz

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

First Quarter

The Jazz start 0/4 from the floor, and the Clippers take advantage with an 11-0 lead after the first three minutes.

— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) January 2, 2026

The Jazz are missing four starters, they’re 0-4 from the floor, Taylor Hendricks has 3 fouls in 3 minutes, and they trail the Clippers 11-0.

Otherwise, everything is going swimmingly.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 2, 2026

With no Keyonte or Lauri, who do you look at as the No. 1 guy on offense?

Collier? Flip? Brice?

The answer is probably just whoever steps up early.

— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) January 2, 2026

This game is the third time this season the Jazz have allowed 15+ points before scoring themselves.

On cue, Cody Williams gets a dunk to make it 16-2.

— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) January 2, 2026

first bucket of ’26 is a Cody 𝗝𝗔𝗠 💥 pic.twitter.com/IPALg3R7FU

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

This is the third time this season the Jazz have trailed 16-0 to open a game.

They also did it against the Knicks on December 5, and against the Nuggets on December 22.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 2, 2026

Oscar Tshiebwe minutes!

— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) January 2, 2026

the Brice is always right 💰 pic.twitter.com/twigHdIdhI

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

🗣️ AND ONEEE! pic.twitter.com/yveFj02xr0

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

After one, the @utahjazz trail the @LAClippers 31-17.

Jazz fell behind 16-0, but closed the quarter on a 17-15 run. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/gmxLpFPucA

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 2, 2026

Second Quarter

Big O’s on the board!

First game and first bucket in a Jazz uniform this season 🙌 pic.twitter.com/C9Z6P2MvNK

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

Cody to the rack with 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 😮‍💨

(that’s an 18-4 run for us btw 👀) pic.twitter.com/RQ3gEMR7Df

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

Cody Williams has so much more success when he makes quick decisions with the ball in his hands.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 2, 2026

The @utahjazz continue to chip away at the @LAClippers lead.

They trail 40-30 with 6:44 left in the half. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/Oa2SqecXYB

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 2, 2026

Kyle Filipowski has struggled here early.

0/6 from the field with two turnovers.

— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) January 2, 2026

you know what they say, slow motion’s better than no motion 😏 pic.twitter.com/hhF7dxQaFs

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

get in your bag then, big fella! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/oISrVWw42t

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

right spot, right time 🤝 pic.twitter.com/IuODO2qERj

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

Cody’s 12 points in the first half marks a new career-high for points in a half for him 👏#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/Rlm0FRITbK

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

I truly think a career game for Cody Williams could do wonders for his confidence and production going forward.

He has 12 points on 4/7 shooting at halfitme.

— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) January 2, 2026

Kyle at the half:

🎷 16 POINTS (season-high!)
🎷 8 REBOUNDS (season-high!)
🎷 7/8 FG (87.5%)#TakeNote | @KyleAnderson5 pic.twitter.com/UAXSwH3cGU

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

At the half, the @utahjazz trail the @laclippers 53-50.

Jazz were down as many as 21, but Kyle Anderson and Cody Williams combined for 28 points to get the Jazz back into this game. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/3rYFiLKsHq

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 2, 2026

the work continues after the break 💼 pic.twitter.com/EHEqbqzx7L

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

Third Quarter

cuttin’ and dunkin’ 🔥#TakeNote | @tayxhendricks pic.twitter.com/afDdRUs6Go

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

a corner t̶h̶r̶e̶e̶ SVI, to tie it up! 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/OzqkAqAweW

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

nothin’ wrong with a little friendly bounce in enemy territory 😁 pic.twitter.com/Y2PElrnlSn

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

LA traffic’s no problem for Brice 🚗 pic.twitter.com/2LaATz6aIB

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

it’s Brice vs everybody… and we’re taking Brice 🥶🧊❄️ pic.twitter.com/VhZRJiZJRD

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

Through three, the @utahjazz trail the @LAClippers 82-81.

Cody Williams has a career-high 15 points, while Brice Sensabaugh is up to 16. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/hU3UExXgd6

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 2, 2026

it’s a 𝙗𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙡𝙚 𝙪𝙥 night in LA! pic.twitter.com/BtqQdiT3Fr

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

Fourth Quarter

Flippin’ out over tough buckets 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/VKvQ6n1HSo

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

let. Cody. 𝐂𝐎𝐎𝐊 🔥

he’s up to 18 now, a career-high! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/wWLVSeq67a

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

Cody got his claw all over that 😱 pic.twitter.com/XY8rYERzk4

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

three straight buckets of 𝙱𝚄𝙻𝙻𝚈 𝙱𝙰𝙻𝙻 from Zay 😈 pic.twitter.com/hqpUGZYRmb

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

Kawhi Leonard is giving me 2019 flashbacks.

— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) January 2, 2026

The @utahjazz fall to the @laclippers 118-101.

Kyle Anderson scores a season-high 22 points to lead the Jazz off the bench. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/UWK1cDbmcU

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 2, 2026

fought hard but came up short. pic.twitter.com/AgBWPufhct

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 2, 2026

Follow the Utah Jazz with KSL Sports

All Jazz games will be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM). Occasionally, KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) will also pick up games.

Utah Jazz fans can watch the team’s games next season for free over the air on KJZZ TV and can stream the games through a paid streaming-based platform on the team’s website. KJZZ is currently broadcast on channel 14.1.

Find all of our Utah Jazz coverage here.

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
Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.
Take us with you, wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.