Tanking Jazz notch potentially costly win at Heat

Despite their worst efforts, the Utah Jazz couldn’t will themselves to a loss on Monday.

The tanking Jazz defeated the Miami Heat (28-27, eighth in Eastern Conference) on the road, 115-111, while intentionally trying to lose by sitting their starting front court for the entire fourth quarter after entering the final 12 minutes up three.

The result could end up having a major impact on the 2026 NBA Draft lottery.

Utah Jazz win could hurt team in long run

At this stage of the season, Utah can only benefit from stacking losses. It’s out of playoff contention at 17-37 and needs to have its first-round pick land in the top eight to avoid sending it to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, thanks to a 2021 Derrick Favors salary dump trade.

Jazz coach Will Hardy understood the assignment by benching forwards Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr., who had a team-high plus-15 plus-minus, and center Jusuf Nurkic for the entire fourth quarter against the Heat. But a group led by second-year pros Isaiah Collier and Kyle Filipowski and rookie Ace Bailey was enough to propel Utah to victory by outscoring Miami, 30-29.