The Utah Jazz are still looking to find a rhythm in the early going of the 2026-27 season.

After struggles in a five-game homestand as the team navigated several injuries in the frontcourt, Utah began a four-game road trip Monday night in San Antonio. Despite limiting their turnovers (just 11 on the night), an inability to hit shots (35 percent from the field) sunk the Jazz as the Spurs pushed the pace and increased the defensive pressure all night long in a 119-97 win. 

Lauri Markkanen was dialed in (22 points, 4-of-7 shooting from deep) and Utah got timely contributions off the bench from Josh Okogie and Mo Bamba, but the team is still looking for a consistent 48 minutes of play. 

“I’m seeing good pockets of play, but also moments where we’re out of sorts,” said Jazz head coach Will Hardy following Monday’s loss to the Spurs. “But I’m continuing to see improvement over the course of those 48 minutes. I have a ton of belief in this group and their ability to improve.” 

The trip continues Wednesday for Utah with a second matchup of the season with the New Orleans Pelicans.

New Orleans (3-4) has won three in a row following an 0-4 start, with the Pelicans creeping towards league average on both ends of the floor. New Orleans has a clear identity on the offensive end, focusing on generating shots around the basket and getting to the free-throw line.

In recent games, Pelicans head coach Jamahl Mosley has shifted the starting lineup to include Herbert Jones and Karlo Matković alongside Jeremiah Fears, Trey Murphy III, and Zion Williamson. 

Utah escaped with a 120-119 victory in the first meeting of the season back on Oct. 23.

OUT – Trey Alexander (G League – Two-Way), Harrison Ingram (G League – Two-Way), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Right Knee; MCL Tear), Jusuf Nurkić (Right Foot; 2nd Plantar Plate Tear)

QUESTIONABLE – Mo Bamba (Right Ankle; Sprain)

OUT – Yves Missi (Left Knee Contusion; Bone Bruise)

DOUBTFUL – Malik Dia (G League – Two-Way) Jaron Pierre Jr. (G League – Two-Way)

PROBABLE – Trey Murphy III (Bilateral Patella; Tendinopathy), Jordan Poole (Left Ankle; Tendinopathy / Tendinitis), Julian Reese (G League – Two-Way)

Here are three keys to Wednesday’s rematch.

Any matchup against the Pelicans must focus on limiting their effectiveness around the basket. 

As mentioned earlier, New Orleans puts a ton of pressure on the rim, with just under 44 percent of the team’s shot attempts coming within four feet. For reference, the league average frequency is slightly over 31 percent.

Add that high frequency to a 67.2-percent conversion rate on such shots and you get a dynamic downhill attack. The results have been impressive in the early going for Mosley’s squad, as the Pelicans have averaged 62.6 paint points per game to begin the new season.

In the Oct. 23 contest, New Orleans dropped 64 in the key against Utah, which was nearly enough to overcome some cold shooting from deep (8-of-26). Given that the Pelicans rank last in the league in 3-point attempt frequency, the Jazz will have to focus on packing the paint to slow down Williamson and New Orleans. 

Winning the possession game 

Against San Antonio, the Jazz made strides in the possession game, with a reduction in their turnovers and consistent success on the offensive glass (albeit boosted by a high number of missed shots).

With just 11 turnovers committed and 17 offensive rebounds, Utah generated more shot attempts than the Spurs, but an inability to get those extra looks to fall sunk the offense. Against New Orleans, the Jazz will need to replicate that success in hopes of bouncing back.

The Pelicans haven’t relied on offensive rebounding this season (26th in offensive rebound percentage), but have been effective on the defensive glass and rank 12th in opponent turnover percentage. In the first meeting between these two teams, Utah coughed it up 18 times but did hold an edge on the boards (42-37).

Finding a flow on offense 

In recent games, the Jazz have defended well enough to win, especially given their limited frontcourt personnel.

However, Utah’s offense has gone cold in recent games, scoring under 100 points in each of the last two contests. While turnovers have been an issue at times, it’s cold shooting that has become a thorn in Utah’s side. 

As a team, the Jazz rank 29th in effective field-goal percentage this season (48.7 percent), while Hardy’s squad is down to just 31.8 percent from beyond the arc, good for 26th in the league. Although Markkanen enjoyed a bounceback effort against the Spurs, Utah’s other shooters have suffered through a recent slump.

The Jazz went 13-of-35 (37 percent) against New Orleans the first time around and a repeat effort would go a long way towards getting back in the win column.

Wednesday’s game tips off at 6 p.m. MT. Tune in to the pregame show with Alema Harrington and Mike Smith beginning at 5:30 p.m. MT on Jazz+!