George’s Absence Highlights Weaknesses in Utah Jazz Roster

The Utah Jazz continue to struggle, losing their sixth consecutive game, this time to the Toronto Raptors, with a score of 107-100. Although Lauri Markkanen led the team with 27 points and 11 rebounds, the absence of Keyonte George highlighted significant weaknesses in the Jazz roster.

Impact of Keyonte George’s Absence

Keyonte George, who missed only his third game this season, left the Jazz at a disadvantage. The team entered the fourth quarter trailing by just two points yet faltered in critical moments. The Jazz, known as the sixth-best fourth-quarter shooting team, managed only four successful shots out of 21 attempts during the final period. They also failed to convert any of their nine three-point attempts.

George, who boasts a 44 percent shooting percentage in fourth quarters, provides crucial scoring and playmaking. Without him, the Jazz struggled to create easy scoring opportunities.

Ace Bailey’s Role

Ace Bailey has emerged as a significant player, but he is not yet ready to carry the team’s offensive load. The 19-year-old, a highly regarded pick from the 2025 draft, grapples with scoring efficiency. He shoots over 45 percent when he dribbles two times or fewer, but this percentage drops to 35 percent with three or more dribbles. This discrepancy indicates his ongoing learning process in finding scoring opportunities independently.

• Dribble Efficiency:
  • 2 dribbles or fewer: 45% shooting
  • 3 dribbles or more: 35% shooting

Despite a challenging night shooting—going 1-of-10 from the field—Bailey recorded a career-high 11 rebounds, along with two assists, a steal, and a block. His versatility suggests he can impact games in several areas, even when his scoring is off.

Current Team Performance

The Jazz’s recent losing streak coincides with their efforts to protect their top-eight first-round pick. They have a disappointing record of 5-20 over their last 25 games and are currently positioned for a potential record-breaking loss season.

• Current Record: 10-15 start followed by 5-20 stretch
• Lost 6 consecutive games: Longest losing streak of the year
• Last 25-game win rate: .200
• Current net rating: -10.7

Notably, the Jazz hold the sixth-worst record in the NBA and are near the bottom of the standings, just one game ahead of Brooklyn and Washington. They face the Indiana Pacers next on Tuesday at 5 p.m. MST, hoping to turn their fortunes around.

Fans can catch the game on KJZZ, stream it on Jazz+, or listen on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.