There are nights in the NBA when the unexpected becomes reality, and Friday night at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City was one of those nights. The Utah Jazz, a team sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, stunned the league-leading Detroit Pistons with a thrilling 131-129 victory that showcased grit, growth, and a little bit of holiday magic.
Coming off a Christmas break and holding an 11-19 record, the Jazz were not favored against the 24-7 Pistons, who had just rattled off a three-game winning streak and looked every bit the Eastern Conference powerhouse. Yet, in front of a raucous home crowd, Utah delivered a performance that had fans on their feet and left Detroit searching for answers.
The hero of the night? None other than Jazz rookie Keyonte George, who poured in a career-high 31 points and capped his night with a game-winning floater in the waning seconds. With just 2.1 seconds remaining, Detroit’s Cade Cunningham—a star in his own right—had a shot to snatch victory with a three-pointer, but the ball clanged off the rim, sealing Utah’s dramatic win.
“Discipline, execution, commitment to who we are,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff lamented after the game, reflecting on a disastrous third quarter in which his team surrendered 44 points. “44 points in a quarter is unacceptable. I know we ask a lot of our guys and most nights they give it to us. Tonight was one of those nights where we were loose from the start.”
This wasn’t just a one-man show, though. Lauri Markkanen, returning to the lineup after missing three of the previous four games, looked every bit the All-Star hopeful, combining with George for a staggering 61 points and nine three-pointers. Markkanen’s early scoring burst kept Utah afloat during a high-octane first quarter where both teams shot well above 50 percent. Brice Sensabaugh, coming off the bench, chipped in 20 points, while veteran Kevin Love added 14, including a crucial 10-point outburst in the third period that helped Utah seize control.
Jusuf Nurkić delivered one of his best all-around performances in a Jazz uniform, finishing with 16 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. His presence in the paint was vital, especially late in the fourth quarter when he rejected an Isaiah Stewart dunk attempt and ignited a fast-break that led to a momentum-shifting slam by Isaiah Collier.
“Nurk in the clutch!” the Jazz’s social media team exclaimed, and it was hard to argue. The Bosnian big man’s timely defense and rebounding helped steady Utah as Detroit mounted a furious rally.
The game began with both offenses firing on all cylinders. Markkanen scored 10 quick points, and Svi Mykhailiuk and George each added five early on. But Detroit, led by the dynamic Cade Cunningham, responded with an 18-2 run to grab a 32-25 lead. Cunningham, who finished with 29 points, 17 assists, two steals, and two blocks, was relentless in orchestrating Detroit’s attack. Tobias Harris contributed 16 points and seven rebounds, while Ron Holland, returning from a left knee sprain, chipped in 11 points and six boards.
By halftime, the Pistons held a slim 68-67 lead, but the momentum was shifting. Utah’s late second-quarter run, fueled by George and Sensabaugh, cut an 11-point deficit to just one. The Jazz’s offense was humming, but their defense remained suspect—something that would soon change.
The third quarter proved decisive. Utah outscored Detroit 44-35, thanks to aggressive drives, timely three-pointers, and relentless energy. The Pistons, usually so disciplined, faltered—committing 14 personal fouls in the period after just six in the first half. Utah capitalized, knocking down 17 of 18 free throws and shooting 48.9 percent from the field for the game, including a scorching 47.4 percent (18-for-38) from deep.
“They saw fouls,” Cunningham said of the officiating. “I wouldn’t say I agree with all of them, but that’s the way it was called. We’ve gotta be better. One of our points of emphasis was not putting them on the line, so too many swipe downs and sending them to the line, not following the gameplan. That’s on us, we’ve gotta be better.”
Detroit’s struggles in the second half weren’t new. Earlier in the week, they’d nearly squandered large leads against both Portland and Sacramento before holding on. This time, the Jazz’s relentless pressure—and their own lapses—proved too much to overcome. The Pistons cut Utah’s lead to 120-117 with just over seven minutes left, but Sensabaugh’s clutch corner three and Nurkić’s late-game heroics kept the home team ahead.
As the clock wound down, the tension in the Delta Center was palpable. With the game tied in the final minute, George coolly drove into the lane and floated home what would become the game-winner. Cunningham’s last-gasp three-point attempt fell short, and Utah’s bench erupted in celebration.
The win was particularly sweet for the Jazz, who had lost to the Pistons 114-103 in Detroit back in early November. That night, Cunningham had torched Utah for 31 points and 10 assists. This time, it was George’s turn to play the hero.
Injuries and absences shaped both teams’ rotations. Utah was without Walker Kessler (left shoulder), Georges Niang (left foot), Elijah Harkless, and John Tonje, while Oscar Tshiebwe was available from the G League. Detroit had Ron Holland back, but he was the only player listed on their pregame injury report.
Looking ahead, the Jazz aim to build on this momentum as they travel to Texas to face Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, December 27. Meanwhile, the Pistons will try to regroup on the West Coast, with upcoming games against the Clippers and Lakers to close out the year.
There’s no denying the significance of this win for Utah—a young team showing signs of growth and resilience against one of the NBA’s elite. For the Pistons, the loss was a wake-up call, a reminder that even the best can stumble when discipline slips. As for the fans in Salt Lake City, they’ll remember this holiday upset for a long time.
