Spurs vs Jazz: Utah wins 119-109 as defense steals the show
Key takeaways
- Utah Jazz beat San Antonio Spurs 119-109 on Monday, October 12. The game was a preseason game at Delta Center.
- The Jazz made 18 steals, and Isaiah Collier led with five. Ace Bailey added three steals and strong defense.
- Darryn Peterson scored 14 points, with 10 after halftime. San Antonio missed seven rotation players through injury or rest.
The Utah Jazz beat the San Antonio Spurs 119-109 on Monday, October 12. The game took place at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. It was a preseason game.
That means the result does not count toward the real season. Preseason games are warm-up games before the real season starts. Still, the Jazz gave fans a lot to like.
Their defense stole the ball again and again.
Utah finished with 18 steals as a team. Young players led the way on both ends.
What happened
Utah controlled the game late and pulled away for the win. The Jazz played their third preseason game of the fall. The win moved Utah to 2-1 in preseason play.
San Antonio played without many of its top players. Seven rotation players sat out, according to SLC Dunk. The list included Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle.
It also included Dylan Harper, Tobias Harris, Carter Bryant, and Devin Vassell. The Spurs sat them for injury or rest. That does not take away from Utah's effort.
But it does add context to the score.
Rookie Darryn Peterson scored 14 points for Utah. Peterson was the number 2 pick from Kansas. He made one of his first five shots.
Then he found his touch after halftime. He scored 10 points in the second half. Peterson also showed calm play for his age, according to SLC Dunk.
His preseason form has grown game by game. He scored four points in his first preseason game. He scored 23 points against the Denver Nuggets next.
His 14 points on Monday kept that growth going.
Ace Bailey made his mark on defense. The second-year forward scored only six points. But his defense stood out all night.
He grabbed five defensive rebounds. He added three steals. Head coach Will Hardy praised his hands and length.
Hardy also praised his conditioning and effort. Bailey said he worked hard on the track in the off-season. Bailey wants to guard top scorers and make life hard for them.
He said his offense will come with time.
Isaiah Collier led Utah with five steals. Hardy praised his speed, instincts, and timing. Collier picked his spots and timed his moves well.
The Jazz shared the ball well too. They finished with 26 assists as a team. Brice Sensabaugh and Peterson led with five each.
Hardy liked the ball movement and team intent. But he did not like the fouls in the second quarter. San Antonio took 24 free throws after fouls in the second quarter.
Hardy called that fouling sloppy. Utah must clean that up before the real season.
Jaxson Hayes started in place of Jusuf Nurkic. Nurkic is out for four weeks. Hayes gave Utah an early spark.
He led the Jazz in first-half scoring with 11 points. He left the game at halftime and did not return. Jaren Jackson Jr added 13 points in 18 first-half minutes.
Brice Sensabaugh added 11 points for Utah. The Jazz still need time to build chemistry. New players are still learning how to play together.
Some lob passes missed their targets. Hayes said the group is still getting used to each other.
Why it matters
Defense can set the tone for a young team. Utah showed it can pressure the ball and force errors. Eighteen steals is a big number in any game.
It shows quick hands and smart reads. Bailey's growth on defense matters most. Bailey had a strong rookie season last year, according to Bleacher Report.
Now he is adding defense to his game.
That two-way mix can help Utah for years. Peterson's steady growth also matters. Young guards often have up-and-down first seasons.
Peterson looks more calm with each game. His second-half surge showed poise and patience. Ball sharing is another good sign.
Twenty-six assists show trust and team play. The fouls are the clear weak spot. Free throws give the other team easy points.
Utah must cut the fouls to win real games.
Preseason games across the league give young players a stage. The Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks also tested new lineups. The London Lions and Portland Trail Blazers met in another preseason game.
Off the court, the Los Angeles Lakers faced trade talk. These games do not count in the standings. But they show which players are ready to help.
Coaches use them to test lineups and roles. Utah's young core passed this test.
What happens next
Utah plays one more preseason game. The Jazz visit the Phoenix Suns on Friday. That game is on the road in Phoenix.
After that, the real season starts. Utah opens against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 21. Fans should watch three things in the last preseason game.
First, can Bailey keep up the strong defense? Second, can Peterson stay calm and score well? Third, can Utah cut down the fouls?
Hayes should keep starting while Nurkic is out. The final preseason game is a last chance to fix mistakes. After that, every game counts.
Utah leaves this game with a win and a list of fixes. The defense looks real, and the young stars look ready. If the Jazz clean up the fouls, they can enter the real season with confidence.
The next test comes Friday in Phoenix.
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