The Lakers (2-0) head to Salt Lake City where they will face the Utah Jazz (1-1) on Sunday afternoon.
The purple and gold will take on a Jazz team that’s coming off a thrilling one-point over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz
When: 2 p.m. PT, Oct 25
Where: Delta Center
Watch: Spectrum Sportsnet
Over the past few seasons, the Lakers and Jazz have built a strong working relationship on the trade market.
The trend started in 2022, when Los Angeles sought a point-of-attack defender
and acquired Patrick Beverley for Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson. That season — which was Westbrook’s second year with the Lakers — was such a disaster that, at the trade deadline in 2023, the Jazz stepped in to facilitate a three-team deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The trade sent Westbrook to Utah and brought D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt to Los Angeles.
Importantly, the Jazz also played an instrumental role in bringing Luka Dončić to Los Angeles by being the third team that acquired Jalen Hood-Schifino and draft assets to help give the Lakers flexibility to do the trade. Apparently, current Jazz CEO Danny Ainge had no idea he was helping the Lakers acquire Dončić was which was incredibly hilarious.
It doesn’t stop there. In the offseason, the Jazz also helped the Lakers land their biggest offseason signing by trading Walker Kessler.
Suffice it to say, both teams have helped shape each other into what they are today.
Thank you for Walker, Utah!
Two games into the season, Kessler is showing why Dončić wanted to play with him. Not only has he quickly become the team’s defensive anchor but also the perfect big alongside Dončić and Austin offensively. While it’s too early to draw any firm conclusions, the Lakers’ willingness to give up a substantial package for the 25-year-old center is already looking more justified.
On Sunday, Kessler returns to the city he called home for four years. There’s no doubt that Jazz head coach Will Hardy will know how to game plan against him best, so it’s going to be interesting to see how that goes.
Kessler’s return will for sure be the headline of the afternoon.
Utah will be L.A.’s toughest opponent yet
There’s something about a 2 p.m. tip-off in Utah that screams trap game. While it’s only right to expect this Lakers team to avoid the trap, they’ll still be presented with a challenge. Facing a Jazz team this early in the season — when they’re not exactly motivated to tank yet — will be tougher than facing the Golden State Warriors and L.A. Clippers.
Aside from George and Collier, the Jazz have this year’s second overall pick in Darryn Peterson and last year’s fifth overall pick in Ace Bailey. In the frontcourt, former Defensive Player of the Year awardee Jaren Jackson Jr. is off to a productive start this season. This Jazz team has promising young talent and a frontcourt that can create matchup problems for opponents.
That said, while the Jazz have plenty of offensive firepower, their defense remains a concern. They surrendered 123 points in their season opener against the Grizzlies, including 23 in transition alone. In their win over the Pelicans, they blew a 16-point fourth-quarter lead. There are clear weaknesses the Lakers can exploit, and that’s where their superior talent should give them the edge.
Ideally, the Lakers enter this match with the same sense of urgency that they’ve had over the last two games. Dončić should be in line for a bounce-back outing while hopefully Reaves and Kessler carry their momentum into this matchup. L.A.‘s role players also have the talent advantage so that should be the case in this match.
Let’s see if the Lakers can secure their first road win of the season and make Kessler’s return to Utah a special one on Sunday.
Notes and Updates
- On Dončić and Reaves, both had a total of 17 turnovers in the winagainst the Clippers. Look for both team to improve on that versus the Jazz.
- For the Lakers’ injury report, Cameron Carr (right Oblique strain) and Adou Thiero (left knee effusion) remain out.
- Jake LaRavia, who was out last game due to a right ankle sprain, is no longer in it which means he’s cleared to play on Sunday.
- As for the Jazz, Jusuf Nurkic (right second plantar plate tear) is out.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.
