SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz dropped their first game after the All-Star break, losing to the Memphis Grizzlies 123-114 on Friday night.
Isaiah Collier led Utah with 24 points, while Olivier-Maxence Prosper scored 23 for Memphis.
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Most Important Games Left on the Utah Jazz Schedule
The Jazz became the face of the NBA’s tanking issue over All-Star weekend, drawing a $500,000 fine for resting Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the fourth quarter of games against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat.
The fine may force the Jazz to reconsider their late-season strategy, but it won’t change their goal of retaining this year’s top-eight protected first-round pick.
With Memphis and Utah jockeying for draft position, Friday’s matchup ranked among the most important remaining games for both teams.
After the loss, Utah fell to 18-39, while Memphis improved to 21-33.
With 25 games left, the Jazz face several key matchups that could determine whether they keep their pick or begrudgingly hand it to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Over the next six weeks, these are the most pivotal games left on the schedule:
- Feb. 26: vs. New Orleans Pelicans
- Feb. 28: vs. New Orleans Pelicans
- March 5: at Washington Wizards
- March 7: at Milwaukee Bucks
- March 15: at Sacramento Kings
- March 19: vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- March 25: vs. Washington Wizards
- April 7: at New Orleans Pelicans
- April 10: vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The three games against New Orleans and the final meeting with Memphis carry the most weight.
The Grizzlies sit just ahead of Utah in the standings; finishing behind them would significantly boost the Jazz’s odds of keeping their 2026 pick.
The Pelicans are three wins behind Utah and have no incentive to lose after trading their first-round pick. They could realistically pass the Jazz over the next month and a half, improving Utah’s lottery chances significantly.
The @UtahJazz are in sixth place in the lotto standings at the moment.
With the Bulls and Bucks already at 24 wins, I don’t think they’ll factor into this picture before the end of the season. pic.twitter.com/dILZEfTp3C
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 21, 2026
The Jazz won’t face the Mavericks again this season, but Dallas remains the team Utah fans should monitor most closely. The Mavericks sit one win ahead of the Jazz and could become a major threat on lottery night if they finish with equal or fewer wins.
Both teams have nearly identical remaining strength of schedule: Dallas opponents own a .500 win rate, while Utah’s sit at .499.
It is worth noting that Dallas has played two more games than the Jazz, giving the Mavericks more opportunities to pick up wins.
Right now, the Jazz are 2.0 games behind the Mavericks, 4.5 behind the Grizzlies, and 3.0 ahead of the Pelicans.
Isaiah Collier Separating From His Young Teammates
While lottery implications dominate the fan conversation, identifying players who belong on next year’s roster is equally important for the Jazz over the next 25 games.
The starting core appears set with Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Walker Kessler, with the expectation that Ace Bailey and the 2025 lottery pick will earn rotation minutes. That leaves as few as three available spots in Will Hardy’s rotation for a team aiming to make the playoffs.
If Bailey and another rookie claim roles, there will be limited room for other young players still in need of development.
Among Utah’s second- and third-year players fighting for a place in next year’s rotation, Collier is making the strongest case.
The @utahjazz fall to the @memgrizz 123-114.
Jazz led by as many as 14, and trailed by as many as 16. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/4K2TGUc4bi
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 21, 2026
Over his last 10 games — seven of them starts — Collier is averaging 16.7 points and 10 assists while shooting 51 percent from the field and 74 percent from the free-throw line.
His three-point shooting and turnovers still need work, but he has developed a clear understanding of the type of player he must be to succeed in the NBA.
Collier thrives as a downhill driver, collapsing defenses with elite speed, finishing at the rim, or creating open shots for teammates. He’s also a one-man fast break and is dangerous in short-clock transition situations.
With George established as the starting point guard, Collier likely profiles as a backup next season. Even in that role, his speed and physicality are unique tools that will challenge opposing defenses.
The Jazz will travel to face the Houston Rockets on Monday at 7:30 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.