Injury-Riddled Jazz Face Struggling Hornets in NBA Clash

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The Utah Jazz (10-28) will host the Charlotte Hornets (8-28) at 9:00 p.m. ET Wednesday at the Delta Center in a matchup of two of the NBA’s struggling teams. Both squads are dealing with significant injury woes, but the Jazz are particularly depleted, missing their top five scorers.

The Jazz are coming off a dramatic 112-111 overtime victory against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, thanks to a game-winning layup by rookie Isaiah Collier. Despite the win, Utah has lost eight of its last 10 games and is in the midst of a rebuilding phase. Key players Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, Jordan Clarkson, and Collin Sexton are all sidelined, with Sexton listed out for rest despite having two days off since the Nets game.

Charlotte, meanwhile, is also struggling, having lost 120-113 to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. The Hornets showed flashes of potential, with Mark Williams posting a double-double of 24 points and 16 rebounds, and LaMelo Ball adding 25 points and 11 assists. However, the team has been unable to translate individual performances into consistent wins.

Utah’s recent victory snapped a nine-game home losing streak, but the team remains near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. The Jazz have struggled with rebounding, managing just six offensive boards against the Nets, compared to Brooklyn’s 15. Rookie Isaiah Collier, who led the Jazz with 23 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists on Sunday, will need to step up again to keep Utah competitive.

The Hornets, despite their poor record, are favored by 5.5 points in this matchup, reflecting the Jazz’s depleted roster. The over/under is set at 220.5 points, suggesting a potentially high-scoring game. Charlotte won the last meeting between these teams in February 2024, 115-107, and will look to repeat that performance.

With both teams missing key players, the game could come down to which bench steps up. For the Jazz, rookies and role players like Kyle Filipowski and Brice Sensabaugh will need to contribute, while the Hornets will rely on their healthier core of Williams and Ball to carry the load.