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Will the Utah Jazz’s preseason starting lineup be the same on opening night?

After six long months of anticipation for Jazz basketball, fans finally caught a glimpse of in-game action on Sunday night when the Jazz faced off against the Denver Nuggets in their first of four preseason games this season. After the…

Published: Monday, 5 October 2026 at 3:23 PM
Will the Utah Jazz’s preseason starting lineup be the same on opening night?
Key Things to Know
  • Sam Foster examines whether the Utah Jazz will maintain their preseason starting five for opening night.
  • Utah started Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson, Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Jusuf Nurkic in a 109-97 win over Denver.
  • Head coach Will Hardy has never started a rookie on opening night in his previous four seasons.
The Story in 60 Seconds

The Utah Jazz opened their preseason schedule with a 109-97 victory over the Denver Nuggets, featuring a starting five of Keyonte George, rookie Darryn Peterson, Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Jusuf Nurkic. Head coach Will Hardy gave Peterson the nod alongside fellow newcomer Nurkic, leaving fellow candidate Ace Bailey to play off the bench.

Sam Foster of SLC Dunk questions whether Hardy will stick with this starting lineup on opening night. The writer notes that Hardy has never started a rookie in an opening game during his previous four seasons in Utah. Despite Peterson scoring only three points, Hardy praised the rookie for making the right choices throughout the contest.

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