The Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz squared off on January 8, 2026, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, bringing together two Western Conference teams desperate for momentum in a season that’s been anything but predictable. With both squads languishing near the bottom of the standings, every possession carried a little extra weight, and the night delivered a flurry of drama, big performances, and a finish that had fans holding their breath until the final buzzer.
Heading into the matchup, the Mavericks (14-23, 11th in the West) were riding high on a modest two-game win streak, having snapped a four-game skid and, more notably, ended a seven-game road drought with a thrilling 100-98 victory over the Sacramento Kings on January 6. The Jazz (12-24, 13th in the West), meanwhile, were reeling, having dropped five straight and nine of their last eleven, including a heartbreaking 129-125 overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder just the night before.
Pre-game storylines centered on health and roster uncertainty. Dallas was missing key contributors: Dereck Lively (foot), Kyrie Irving (knee), and Dante Exum (knee) were all out, with Brandon Williams (heel) and P.J. Washington (ankle) listed as day-to-day. Utah, too, was shorthanded, with Georges Niang (foot) and Walker Kessler (shoulder surgery) unavailable, though Kevin Love was expected to return after a night of rest. The Jazz also welcomed rookie Ace Bailey back from a hip flexor strain, hoping for a spark off the bench.
But all eyes were on Anthony Davis, who, despite swirling trade rumors and a season marred by injuries, was healthy and in the Mavericks’ starting lineup. Davis, averaging 20.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over 19 games, was making his 20th appearance of the year. Trade chatter was rampant, with speculation that the Mavericks might move the one-time champion before the February 5 deadline, just a year after acquiring him in a blockbuster deal that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers.
From the opening tip, both teams showed urgency. The Mavericks struck first, with Max Christie and Davis connecting on early buckets. Cooper Flagg, the rookie sensation and reigning Rookie of the Year frontrunner, wasted no time making his presence felt, crashing the boards and scoring efficiently. Flagg had torched the Jazz for a career-high 42 points in their previous meeting, a 140-133 overtime thriller won by Utah back in December, and he looked eager for revenge.
The Jazz, however, were determined to defend their home court. Lauri Markkanen, Utah’s All-Star forward, and Keyonte George, their dynamic guard, shouldered the scoring load. Markkanen, coming off a 29-point effort against the Thunder, continued his hot streak, hitting from inside and out. George, who had 25 points and 11 assists the night prior, orchestrated the offense with poise, repeatedly finding teammates like Brice Sensabaugh and Cody Williams for open looks.
As the first quarter unfolded, Utah’s energy—despite the fatigue of a back-to-back—kept them in stride with Dallas. The Jazz’s frontcourt, featuring the returning Kevin Love and the ever-physical Markkanen, battled Dallas’ Daniel Gafford and Davis on the glass. Gafford, who’d posted a double-double in Sacramento, was tasked with containing Utah’s size and hustle, and the rebounding battle was fierce from the outset.
Dallas, though, started to find its groove behind the playmaking of Flagg and the steady hand of Klay Thompson, who came off the bench to provide a much-needed scoring punch. Thompson’s shooting stretched the Jazz defense, and his six three-pointers on the night proved invaluable. Brandon Williams, still managing a heel injury, contributed in spurts, though his impact was limited compared to his 18-point outburst in Sacramento.
The second quarter saw Utah make a run, with Markkanen and George combining for quick buckets and Brice Sensabaugh knocking down timely threes. The Jazz’s bench, featuring Isaiah Collier and Kyle Filipowski, brought energy and ball movement, helping Utah build a modest lead. But Dallas answered back, with Flagg and Davis orchestrating a 10-2 run to close the half, keeping the Mavericks within striking distance.
Halftime stats told the story of a tightly contested battle: both teams shot above 49% from the field, with Dallas holding a slight edge in three-point accuracy. The rebounding margin was narrow, and turnovers were a concern for both squads, with Dallas’ 20 giveaways nearly costing them the game.
The third quarter brought fireworks. The Mavericks surged ahead behind Flagg’s relentless drives and Davis’ inside presence. Flagg finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, showcasing the all-around game that’s made him a franchise cornerstone. Davis added 21 points and 11 boards, anchoring the defense and keeping the Jazz at bay with timely buckets. Naji Marshall and Max Christie chipped in, each hitting big shots to keep the Mavericks’ offense humming.
Utah, refusing to fold, leaned on Markkanen, who poured in a game-high 33 points, and George, who tallied 19 points and 7 assists. Kevin Love contributed a double-double, and Sensabaugh’s late-game shooting gave the Jazz hope. The lead changed hands multiple times in the fourth, with neither team able to pull away. Every possession felt like a playoff moment, and the Delta Center crowd responded with thunderous support.
Down the stretch, it was Thompson’s veteran poise that steadied Dallas. He hit a crucial three with under a minute left, and Flagg’s defense forced a key turnover on Utah’s final possession. Markkanen had a chance to tie it in the closing seconds, but his contested jumper rimmed out. A last-second three from Naji Marshall brought Dallas within two, but time expired before the Mavericks could foul, sealing a 116-114 win for the Jazz.
Statistically, the game was a showcase for both teams’ stars. Dallas shot 51.8% from the field and 41.7% from three, with five players in double figures. Utah matched with 49.5% shooting and a balanced attack, as Markkanen, George, and Sensabaugh combined for 66 points. The Jazz won the turnover battle, committing just nine to Dallas’ twenty, and their bench outscored the Mavericks’ reserves 42-34.
After the game, Jazz coach Will Hardy praised his team’s resilience: “That was a high-level game, on the road at the end of a long trip. I told the team that is competing at the highest level. If we can consistently compete like that as a group ... we’re going to get where we want to go.”
For Dallas, the loss stung, but the continued growth of Flagg and the steady production from Davis offered reasons for optimism. Trade rumors may swirl, and the roster could look different in a month, but the Mavericks’ young core appears ready for whatever comes next.
As the Western Conference playoff picture remains wide open, both teams will look to build on the lessons from this hard-fought battle. For now, Utah snaps its losing streak, Dallas regroups, and the Delta Center faithful go home with a night to remember.
