Jazz Open Preseason with 109-97 Win Over Denver, Highlighting Markkanen and Young Guard Play

Key points

• The Utah Jazz won their first preseason game against the Denver Nuggets by a score of 109-97.
• Lauri Markkanen led the team with 17 points in just 16 minutes, while Keyonte George contributed 15 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
• The Jazz recorded 28 assists on 39 points, reflecting a focus on unselfish ball movement under coach Will Hardy.
• Rookie Darryn Peterson had a mixed debut, scoring three points but grabbing six rebounds and showing defensive effort.
• The Jazz were missing Kyle Filipowski, Josh Green, and Brice Sensabaugh due to injuries.

Background

This game marks the start of the 2026-27 NBA preseason for both teams. The Jazz are looking to improve on a previous season where they struggled to secure playoff spots, while the Nuggets are testing new roster additions after a recent offseason. The game took place on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

How outlets are covering it

The Salt Lake Tribune emphasized the Jazz's unselfish brand of basketball and the potential for a significant leap in performance, noting the team's high assist-to-bucket ratio. SLC Dunk focused on individual impact players, specifically praising Markkanen's scoring efficiency and Keyonte George's defensive improvements, while also highlighting Blake Hinson's shooting. SI.com, covering the game from the Nuggets' perspective, focused on players like Christian Braun and Alpha Diallo, noting the Nuggets' need for bounceback performances and the integration of new international talent. The outlets generally agreed on the positive signs for the Jazz but differed in their emphasis, with the Tribune and SLC Dunk focusing on team chemistry and individual stars, while SI.com focused on the Nuggets' developmental needs.

Why it matters

This preseason game provides early indicators of the Jazz's offensive identity and the development of young players like Darryn Peterson and Ace Bailey. It also highlights the potential impact of Keyonte George's contract extension and the team's ability to generate open shots through ball movement. For the Nuggets, it offers a look at how new additions like Alpha Diallo and returning players like Christian Braun fit into the rotation.

What to watch

The Jazz and Nuggets will continue their preseason schedules, with the Jazz aiming to refine their offensive system and the Nuggets evaluating their new roster. The regular season will provide a more definitive assessment of the teams' performance and the impact of these preseason observations.