SALT LAKE CITY – Despite battling through injuries and a depleted roster, Keyonte George delivered an impressive performance in the Utah Jazz’s narrow 128-125 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. George scored 36 points, demonstrating his rising star status as he carried much of the offensive burden for the Jazz during a challenging contest.
The 22-year-old guard, now in his third NBA season, has shown significant development since his college days at Baylor. With key teammates like Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. sidelined, George stepped up, finishing with 14-of-22 shooting, including four 3-pointers and four free throws made out of five attempts. In just 30 minutes, he also contributed two rebounds, two assists, and four steals.
Against Denver’s Jamal Murray, who led all scorers with 45 points, George’s athleticism and skill were on full display, particularly in the fourth quarter where he tallied 15 points on efficient shooting to keep the Jazz within striking distance.
Jazz head coach Will Hardy praised George’s play, emphasizing his ability to make decisive moves:
“He’s using his athleticism and his ball handling, He’s really making a lot of plays for us, getting downhill a couple of times, he splits the double team a couple of times, he tests their outside leg. He’s doing a really, really good job.”
George echoed the team’s optimistic mindset, noting the potential if they maintain this level:
“We just told each other, like, if we play like that every night, there’ll be more fun for us on a night-to-night basis.”
Coach Hardy Urges Vigilance Amid Promising Season Developments
While the Jazz currently show signs of progression after several difficult years, coach Will Hardy cautioned his young roster against becoming complacent as they approach the offseason. With the anticipated return of Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Walker Kessler next season, expectations are rising; however, Hardy underscored that nothing is guaranteed in the NBA.
He stressed the importance of continued effort and focus from every player, stating,
“In the off-season, things change, and so right now, all of their focus should be performing at a level where they’re on the team next year.”
Hardy further elaborated on the fluid nature of NBA rosters:
“We should be trying to maximize the opportunity we have right now, because there’s nothing that’s promised. So much can change in an offseason. We see it all the time in our league. Teams turnover, and they don’t look anything like they looked the year before.”
Currently, eight players on the Utah Jazz roster have guaranteed contracts for the upcoming season. Among them, only Markkanen, Jackson Jr., and Keyonte George appear firmly entrenched in starting roles. The team plans to retain Walker Kessler through restricted free agency, and with Ace Bailey showing promise, a rotation spot seems likely, though trades could alter these arrangements.
Hardy’s candid message reflected the competitive environment players face:
“That is just the reality of pro sports in our league, and so I hope there’s not a sense of complacency in terms of like, ‘Oh, we’ll just wait, and next year it’ll be better for me or better for us.’ We’ve all got to fight for our space.”
Upcoming Utah Jazz Game and Broadcast Information
The Utah Jazz will head east to play the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. MST. Fans can catch the game on KJZZ television, stream it live via Jazz+, or listen on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
For followers interested in updates and interaction, the KSL Sports team invites connections on Instagram at @kslsports. The KSL Sports app also offers live radio, video streaming, and comprehensive coverage of Utah’s teams.
Ben Anderson, who reports on the Utah Jazz for KSL Sports and co-hosts the Jake and Ben show from 10 a.m. to noon on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone, continues to provide insights and analysis. He can be found on Twitter and Instagram as @BensHoops and also on BlueSky.
KEYONTE GEORGE.
FILTHY STEPBACK FOR 31.
He and Jamal Murray (41p) are BATTLING down the stretch in Utah 🍿 pic.twitter.com/eNeuAetBO1
— NBA (@NBA) March 3, 2026
