Nurkic registered four points (2-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal over 18 minutes during Friday's 105-104 loss to the Kings.

Walker Kessler turned in an odd dud after a great first game, so the team decided to give Nurkic more time on the court. He responded with 11 rebounds in 18 minutes. The veteran is hunting for a place to revive his career, but only an injury will elevate him to a meaningful role. He's trapped behind Kessler and Kyle Filipowski, and is currently fending off Taylor Hendricks for the backup job under the basket.

George chipped in 18 points (5-15 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 7-7 FT), two rebounds, 10 assists and one block across 34 minutes during Friday's 105-104 loss to the Kings.

The starting job should continue to be a battle with Isaiah Collier (hamstring), but George will have full ownership of the top spot while Collier recovers. The Baylor product started in 35 games last season, performing as an apt fill-in for injuries and matchup-dependent situations, so he's certainly put in the work to earn the role in his third season with the team.

Markkanen accumulated 33 points (12-23 FG, 4-13 3Pt, 5-6 FT), four rebounds and one assist across 36 minutes during Friday's 105-104 loss to the Kings.

Markkanen followed up a 20-point debut with a standout game, although he could only get four of his 13 three-point attempts to fall. Despite that shortfall, he made plays all over the court and was the clear offensive spark plug for theJazz. His teammates fell well behind him in production, and Utah will need a more balanced attack to be successful.

Filipowski contributed nine points (4-10 FG, 1-6 3Pt), four rebounds, five assists and one block across 25 minutes during Wednesday's 129-108 win over the Clippers.

With Ace Bailey (knee/illness) not at 100 percent, plus Isaiah Collier (hamstring) and Georges Niang (foot) sidelined, Filipowski drew a start on Opening Night. Filipowski was surrounded by Keyonte George, Svi Mykhailiuk, Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler. While Filipowski struggled from deep, he played 25 minutes and appears to be a key part of the early-season rotation after a strong finish to the 2024-25 campaign.

Clayton supplied 10 points (4-8 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, five assists and two steals across 18 minutes during Wednesday's 129-108 victory over the Clippers.

Isaiah Collier continues to be sidelined by a hamstring issue, allowing Clayton to soak up some backup point guard reps to open his NBA career. Clayton was an obvious standout for theJazz during the preseason and teased some serious upside on Opening Night. Given the draft capital Utah invested in Clayton, he's likely to get plenty of chances to impress with the team in the early stages of a rebuild.

Hendricks amassed 13 points (4-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds, one block and one steal in 19 minutes during Wednesday's 129-108 win over the Clippers.

Hendricks came off the bench Wednesday after showing some positive moments with the starting group during the preseason. Hendricks offers some serious upside on the defensive end and is an improving three-point shooter, and that gives him a high ceiling in category leagues. With this being a rebuilding season in Utah, it's easy to imagine Hendricks' role growing as the season progresses.

Sensabaugh recorded 20 points (7-13 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 3-3 FT), four rebounds, two assists and one steal in 23 minutes during Wednesday's 129-108 win over the Clippers.

Senabaugh was first up off the bench for Utah alongside rookie Ace Bailey. The two had very different nights, however. Sensabaugh had the hot hand en route to 20 points, while Bailey scored just two. Now in his third season, Sensabaugh hopes to continue improving his scoring average year-over-year. He averaged 7.5 points as a rookie and 10.9 last season.

Kessler supplied 22 points (7-7 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 6-8 FT), nine rebounds, four assists, four blocks and two steals across 29 minutes during Wednesday's 129-108 victory over the Clippers.

Shooting 100 percent from the field, Kessler looked the part of an elite big man in theJazz's opener. He led all scorers on the night with 22 points while adding a strong defensive showing. Kessler's growth as a shooter was on display by draining both three point tries -- he made only six total last season. The third-year center finished a rebound shy of a double-double but saw only three quarters of action with the game in hand entering the fourth.

George finished Wednesday's 129-108 victory over the Clippers with 16 points (6-12 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds, nine assists and two steals in 30 minutes.

George got the starting nod in the season opener with backcourt mate Isaiah Collier (hamstring) sidelined Wednesday. He appears to have a firm grip on the starting point guard role after finishing with a near double-double in a blowout win. George converted just one of his seven attempts from deep but made all six shots from inside the arc.

Markkanen posted 20 points (8-13 FG, 4-7 3Pt), six rebounds and five assists over 33 minutes during Wednesday's 129-108 victory over the Clippers.

Markkanen started his ninth season with a bang. The Finnish star sank four triples en route to 20 points on just 13 shots. He rounded out his night with five assists and six rebounds in a resounding Utah win. Already an excellent shooter and proficient rebounder, increased playmaking could set Markkanen up for a big year.

Kessler generated 22 points (7-7 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 6-8 FT), nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and four blocks during Wednesday's 129-108 win over the Clippers.

Kessler logged just seven field-goal attempts in the win, yet he wound up leading Utah in points after knocking down all seven looks. The 24-year-old center shot just 17.6 percent from three-point range last season, but he knocked down both of his looks from distance Wednesday. Kessler made multiple threes just once in 58 regular-season contests in 2024-25. Beyond his excellent shooting performance, Kessler fell one rebound shy of a double-double, and he doled out four assists -- something he did merely eight times last season.

Bailey will come off the bench and be limited to 15 minutes due to illness, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.

When at full health, Bailey is anticipated to serve as Utah's starting shooting guard. However, the rookie is dealing with an illness, and he'll face significant restrictions Wednesday. Bailey will come off the bench and play merely 15 minutes. Svi Mykhailiuk will draw the start in Bailey's place.

Mykhailiuk will be in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Clippers, independent NBA writer Justin Russo reports.

Mykhailiuk will get the 2025-26 campaign underway as a starter. He'll join Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen, Kyle Filipowski and Walker Kessler in the first unit.

Bailey (illness) is available to play Wednesday against the Clippers.

Bailey was previously listed as questionable on the injury report, but the rookie is now set to make his official NBA debut. He was battling some knee tendinitis during the preseason, so it will be interesting to see how many minutes he's allotted.

Bailey (illness) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Clippers, Ben Anderson of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.

Bailey is in danger of missing Utah's regular-season opener while dealing with the flu. He also sat out Thursday's preseason win over Portland due to tendinitis in both knees. If the rookie is unable to suit up Wednesday, Brice Sensabaugh, Cody Williams and Svi Mykhailiuk are candidates for an uptick in minutes.