The expectations for the Utah Jazz heading into the 2025-26 season were in the gutter. After all, they were coming off a season in which they won the fewest games in the NBA last season with 17. They have always seemed to throw the season around March and April, with the likes of Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler being “rested” for what one would presume are tanking purposes.

But under the watchful eye of head coach Will Hardy, the Jazz can be very competitive, especially towards the start of a new campaign. On Monday night, the Jazz, after being pushed to the brink by the Phoenix Suns, managed to pull out a 138-134 win in overtime — with Markkanen going off for 51 points on 14-32 shooting from the field.

Markkanen's talent can never be questioned, as he remains one of the most vers

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