The Utah Jazz and Toronto Raptors are set for a Monday night showdown at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, and the stakes are high for both teams as they navigate injuries, lineup changes, and playoff aspirations. As March 23, 2026, rolls around, the Jazz, burdened by a depleted roster, will look to their young talents to rise to the occasion, while the Raptors hope the return of a key rookie can bolster their playoff push in the Eastern Conference.
For the Jazz, this season has been a challenging one. Utah currently owns the league’s fifth-worst record, sitting at 21-50 overall and 13-23 at home. A string of injuries has left the team reeling, with three starters out for the season and several other key contributors missing games in recent weeks. The absence of their starting point guard, who has missed the last two contests with a hamstring injury, adds another layer of uncertainty. His status for the Raptors game remains up in the air, complicating the Jazz’s rotation and game plan.
Amidst the adversity, opportunity has knocked for Utah’s younger players. Cody Williams and Ace Bailey have stepped into starting roles and thrived with increased offensive responsibilities. Williams, in particular, has caught the attention of both fans and oddsmakers. In the first game without Collier, Williams poured in 23 points, though he followed that performance with a 15-point outing, hampered by a rough shooting night (5-for-15 from the field and 0-for-4 from beyond the arc). Still, his production profile suggests he’s capable of averaging around 19 points per game, and his scoring prop has hovered between 13.5 and 15.5 points in recent contests.
Doug Kezirian of the New York Post has thrown his support behind Williams, predicting he’ll eclipse the 15.5-point mark against Toronto, with odds set at +136 on FanDuel. Kezirian’s confidence is rooted in the sheer volume of opportunities available to Williams in a shorthanded Jazz lineup. “Given all the injuries and opportunities, I think that is too low,” Kezirian wrote, referencing Williams’ point prop. The Jazz offense, notably more potent at home and at altitude, could be a factor in boosting Williams’ output despite Toronto’s top-10 defensive efficiency ranking.
The Raptors, meanwhile, come into the matchup with a 39-31 record, including a respectable 20-15 mark on the road. Toronto has faced its own share of injuries, with key players Immanuel Quickley (right foot plantar fasciitis) and Jakob Poeltl (lower-back injury) both ruled out for the contest. Poeltl’s absence is particularly significant, as he’s missed 35 of the team’s 70 games this season, including a 24-game stretch in the middle of the campaign. Quickley, for his part, has been a reliable shooter, hitting 41.8 percent from three-point range in the second half of the season, but will be sorely missed as the Raptors try to rebound from a tough loss to the Phoenix Suns.
However, Toronto will receive a much-needed boost with the return of rookie Collin Murray-Boyles. The No. 9 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Murray-Boyles has been sidelined since February 25 due to a left-thumb sprain, missing the last 11 games. According to Sportsnet insider Michael Grange, Murray-Boyles is finally cleared to play and will come off the bench. “That’s what we’ve been striving for,” Murray-Boyles told reporters via Grange. “I want to get back with the guys. It hurts to sit on the bench and watch when I know I can make an impact, but we’ll see. We’re striving for it, but no promises.”
Toronto’s defense has performed better with Murray-Boyles on the floor—teams have an offensive rating of 112.3 when he plays, compared to 114.4 when he’s not. His ability to guard multiple positions provides the Raptors with much-needed versatility, particularly with Quickley and Poeltl out. The Raptors’ starting five for the night will feature Jamal Shead, RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, and Sandro Mamukelashvili, while Murray-Boyles is expected to bring energy and defensive acumen off the bench.
On the other side, the Jazz will counter with a starting lineup of Bez Mbeng, Elijah Harkless, Ace Bailey, John Konchar, and Kyle Filipowski. With so many regulars sidelined, Utah will rely heavily on this group, especially Williams and Bailey, to generate offense and keep the game competitive. The Jazz’s defense, however, has struggled mightily, ranking 30th in points allowed (125.88 per game) and near the bottom in field goal and three-point defense. They’ll need a collective effort to slow down a Raptors team that, despite its injuries, remains dangerous on the road.
Statistically, the matchup provides some intriguing contrasts. Toronto is ranked 23rd in points scored (113.86 per game), but Utah’s porous defense could offer the Raptors a chance to get back on track offensively. The Jazz, meanwhile, have found success at home, but their 8-27 away record underscores their struggles outside Salt Lake City. Recent trends suggest Toronto is 4-1 against the spread in its last five games, though the Raptors have had difficulty covering against Utah, going 2-5 ATS in their last seven meetings. The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Toronto’s last 17 games, but the OVER has hit in four of the last five road games against the Jazz.
Both teams are navigating the minefield of late-season injuries, with Toronto’s depth being tested by the absence of Quickley and Poeltl. Poeltl, averaging 13 points and 9.6 rebounds in March, has been a steadying force when healthy, while Quickley’s shooting has provided spacing and offensive punch. Their absence places added pressure on the likes of Barrett, Barnes, and Ingram to step up, while Murray-Boyles’ return could be the X-factor that tilts the balance in Toronto’s favor.
For Utah, the focus will be on player development and evaluating young talent as the season winds down. Williams and Bailey’s performances will be closely watched—not just by fans, but by oddsmakers and analysts who see value in their expanded roles. The Jazz’s ability to hang with a playoff-hungry Raptors squad will hinge on their capacity to manufacture offense and tighten up defensively, particularly on the perimeter where they’ve struggled all year.
As tip-off approaches, fans can catch all the action on Sportsnet or stream it via NBA League Pass. With the Raptors fighting to solidify their playoff position and the Jazz eager to showcase their emerging stars, Monday night’s matchup promises plenty of intrigue—even if the rosters look a little different than originally planned.
One thing’s for sure: with so much on the line for both teams, and key players stepping into the spotlight, the Delta Center will be buzzing with anticipation as the Raptors and Jazz battle it out in the heart of Salt Lake City.