The Utah Jazz returned to the Delta Center on February 26, 2026, hoping to snap a three-game losing streak against the visiting New Orleans Pelicans. Instead, the Jazz dropped their fourth straight, falling 129-118 in a contest that saw Saddiq Bey erupt for a season-high 42 points and Zion Williamson continue his red-hot scoring streak. The loss leaves Utah at 18-41 on the season, while New Orleans improves to 18-42, setting the stage for a quick rematch between these two squads on Saturday.
From the outset, the atmosphere in Salt Lake City was electric. Fans packed the stands, eager to see if the Jazz could right the ship after a tough post-All-Star stretch. The team’s injury woes, however, loomed large before tipoff. Utah was without Lauri Markkanen, sidelined due to a sprained right ankle and right hip impingement, as well as several key contributors lost for the season: Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee), Jusuf Nurkic (nose), Vince Williams Jr. (torn ACL), and Walker Kessler (shoulder). Keyonte George, another promising young talent, was also unavailable with an ankle issue. The Pelicans, meanwhile, were missing Trey Murphy III (shoulder) and rookie Yves Missi (calf).
Despite the depleted rosters, both teams came out firing. The Jazz, led by rookie sensation Ace Bailey, jumped out to an early lead. Bailey was unstoppable in the first quarter, pouring in 14 points on 62.5% shooting and taking six of Utah’s first nine shots. After one, Utah led 38-37, giving the home crowd hope that the losing streak might end. "Ace Bailey is cooking with Crisco right now," tweeted Chandler Holt, capturing the rookie’s hot start.
But the Pelicans quickly found their rhythm in the second quarter. Saddiq Bey started heating up, showing off a versatile offensive arsenal that the Jazz simply couldn’t contain. Utah’s defense, which ranks last in the NBA in points allowed (125.9 per game), struggled to slow down New Orleans’ attack. By halftime, the Pelicans had surged ahead 78-61, with Bey leading all scorers at the break with 19 points. Utah’s missed opportunities at the free-throw line (just 10-of-18 in the first half) compounded their troubles.
Coming out of the locker room, the Jazz tried to claw their way back, but New Orleans kept their foot on the gas. Zion Williamson, who entered the night having surpassed 20 points in each of his last four games, continued his streak with another 20+ point performance. Williamson’s ability to attack the paint was especially crucial with Trey Murphy III and Yves Missi sidelined. According to Action PRO projections, Williamson was expected to score over 24.5 points, and he didn’t disappoint, exploiting Utah’s porous interior defense throughout the night.
Midway through the third quarter, the Pelicans had built their largest lead of the contest at 27 points, with the scoreboard reading 94-74. John Konchar’s hustle plays and a highlight-reel dunk from Cody Williams provided brief sparks for Utah, but New Orleans always had an answer. "Cody Williams becoming, at worst, the third-best dunker on the Jazz is on par with Keyonte George’s breakout as one of the season’s biggest surprises," noted Ben Anderson, reflecting on the flashes of hope for the Jazz’s future.
As the fourth quarter began, Utah trailed 111-92 with just over eight minutes remaining. Ace Bailey continued to lead the charge for the Jazz, finishing with 23 points—14 of which came in that explosive first quarter. Utah mounted a late 11-2 run, trimming the deficit to 13, but Saddiq Bey’s relentless scoring put any hopes of a comeback to bed. Bey ended the night with a staggering 42 points on 70% shooting, easily his best performance of the season. "Not Zion. Not Dejounte. Not Herb. It’s Saddiq Bey who torches the Jazz and drops 42 points on 70% shooting," summarized Chandler Holt.
For Utah, the loss was particularly tough given the context. The Jazz had been favored by oddsmakers to lose, with New Orleans entering as 6.5-point favorites and the over/under set at 244.5 total points. The Pelicans, averaging 114.8 points per game (11.1 fewer than the Jazz allow), managed to blow past that mark thanks to Bey’s heroics and Williamson’s steady production. Utah, averaging 118 points per game, couldn’t keep pace—especially with so many key players out and their defense continuing to be a major liability.
Fans looking for bright spots could point to Ace Bailey’s aggressiveness and Cody Williams’ athleticism. Bailey’s 14-point first quarter was a career highlight, and his poise as a rookie has been one of the few consistent positives in a challenging season. The Jazz’s social media team highlighted the importance of every game as "an opportunity to make a memory for a fan," and despite the loss, moments like Bailey’s scoring outburst and Williams’ dunks certainly delivered on that promise.
On the Pelicans’ side, Saddiq Bey’s breakout was the story of the night. With Williamson drawing attention inside, Bey found space to operate and punished Utah from all areas of the floor. Williamson’s fifth straight 20+ point game underscored his growing role as New Orleans’ offensive engine, especially with Murphy and Missi sidelined. The Pelicans’ win also snapped a rough patch for them, giving the team a much-needed boost as they look to build momentum heading into the season’s final stretch.
Looking ahead, both teams will have little time to dwell on Thursday’s outcome. The Jazz and Pelicans are set for a rematch on Saturday night at the Delta Center, offering Utah a quick shot at redemption. With Lauri Markkanen’s status still uncertain and the roster depleted, the Jazz will need another big night from Bailey and improved defensive focus if they hope to even the season series. For New Orleans, the challenge will be maintaining their offensive rhythm and building on the chemistry shown in this win.
As the NBA season grinds on, injuries and adversity have tested both squads. But for one night, Saddiq Bey and the Pelicans seized the spotlight, while the Jazz were left searching for answers—and hoping that Saturday’s rematch brings a different result.