Life in the NBA is never short on surprises, and on December 27, 2025, the Utah Jazz delivered one of the season’s biggest upsets, stunning the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 and putting the league on notice. For Jazz rookie Walter Clayton Jr.—a Florida Gator legend in his own right—it was a night to remember, as he turned back the clock and played his best game as a pro. But this wasn’t just a story about one player finding his groove; it was about a team, battered and bruised, refusing to roll over, and proving to everyone that no matchup is a guaranteed win in today’s NBA.
Coming into Saturday’s contest, the Spurs were riding high on an eight-game winning streak, looking every bit the Western Conference powerhouse. The Jazz, on the other hand, were reeling from a four-game skid just two nights earlier, sitting at 10-19 and seemingly teetering on the edge of embracing a full-on rebuild. A pair of back-to-back games against Detroit and San Antonio—two of the league’s hybrid-darling contenders—looked like a recipe for disaster. But the Jazz, with their full roster (minus Walker Kessler), had other ideas.
Walter Clayton Jr. had played just nine minutes the night before against Detroit, failing to register a single point. Expectations were modest when he checked in during the second quarter against San Antonio with the Jazz already trailing by ten. What happened next? Clayton Jr. immediately drained a 17-footer, followed it up with back-to-back assists, then knocked down a floater. Another floater with 5:37 left in the quarter gave Utah the lead. He wasn’t done—before the half, he’d add a steal, another assist, a 16-footer with an And-1, and two more free throws. When the halftime buzzer sounded, the Jazz were up 70-60, and the energy in the building had shifted.
By the end of the night, Clayton Jr. had scored 17 points, his second-best NBA performance to date, and did it on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting, including 2-for-2 from deep and 3-for-3 from the free throw line. He also tallied five assists, didn’t commit a single turnover, and finished a game-high +22 while on the floor. For a player averaging 6.4 points and 3.2 assists per game on the season, and shooting just 30.6% from three overall (though up to 34.3% in December), this was a much-needed confidence boost. "It’s a much-needed confidence boost for Clayton Jr., who played just nine minutes the night before against Detroit and had zero points in that game," one report noted.
But it wasn’t just Clayton Jr. who made headlines. The Jazz’s dynamic duo of Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George nearly matched the league’s leading 30-point pairs, scoring 29 and 28 points respectively. Markkanen, whose return from injury has changed the team’s complexion, was relentless, while George contributed 5 rebounds and 6 assists, keeping the offense humming. The supporting cast stepped up, too—Brice Sensabaugh, Kevin Love, Jusuf Nurkic, Isaiah Collier, and Cody Williams all played vital roles in Utah’s resurgence. Even Dylan Harper got in on the action, out-dunking Victor Wembanyama with a highlight-reel and-1 poster before assisting on a lob that sent the Spurs’ rookie phenom “up in his UFO.”
Speaking of Wembanyama, the Spurs’ star rookie was as advertised, finishing with 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Keldon Johnson chipped in 27 points and 10 boards for San Antonio, which had looked untouchable during their recent run. Yet, it was Utah’s night to shine. The Jazz, who had just snapped their four-game losing streak with a clutch win over the East-leading Detroit Pistons the night before, followed up by ending the Spurs’ eight-game run. The back-to-back victories were their most impressive of the season, and they did it by controlling the tempo and refusing to be intimidated.
Utah’s offense has quietly become one of the NBA’s most potent in December, ranking second in the league at 124.9 points per game. Their recent surge has pulled them even with the Portland Trail Blazers for the Western Conference’s final Play-In spot, improving their record to 12-19. For a team that many had written off, the Jazz are suddenly making things interesting. "They may not be among the NBA's best teams, but when this team has its (Walker Kessler-less) roster intact, they are talented enough to make those that are considered the best work for it," one analyst observed.
The Jazz’s resurgence, however, comes with a twist. Every win raises questions about the team’s long-term strategy. With their draft pick in a precarious position—potentially transferring to Oklahoma City if they win too many games—some fans are torn between cheering for victories and hoping for better lottery odds. "With every win comes with the question if it truly is in the Jazz's best interest to win games like these because their draft position is in a very delicate state," another report stated. For now, though, the players and coaches are focused on the court, not the draft board.
Saturday’s contest wasn’t just a battle of box scores; it was a showcase of NBA athleticism and flair. The game featured a mini Dunk Contest, with both teams trading high-flying slams and jaw-dropping plays. The Jazz, in particular, out-slammed the Spurs, flexing their muscle and sending a message to the rest of the league. As one recap put it, "It was the Jazz who went home flexing after back-to-back wins against top-3 teams."
The Jazz’s ability to compete with the league’s elite when healthy has not gone unnoticed. With Markkanen and George leading the charge, and young talents like Clayton Jr. stepping up, Utah is suddenly a team that no opponent can afford to overlook. The Pistons and Spurs, both considered favorites in their matchups, learned that lesson the hard way. "Detroit, San Antonio, and any other team in a similar stratosphere should be aware of that going forward," a columnist warned.
As the NBA season barrels forward, the Utah Jazz have redefined themselves in just 48 hours. Walter Clayton Jr.’s breakout performance, the return of Lauri Markkanen, and the emergence of a deep supporting cast have given fans reasons to believe. The playoff picture remains crowded, and the lottery odds still hang in the balance, but for now, the Jazz are living in the moment—and making every minute count.
With momentum on their side and a roster brimming with confidence, the Jazz have thrown a wrench into the Western Conference race. Their recent victories prove that in the NBA, no script is set in stone, and even the underdogs can steal the spotlight on any given night. The rest of the league has been put on notice: dismiss the Utah Jazz at your own peril.
