In a thrilling matchup on January 12, 2026, the Utah Jazz emerged victorious against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a final score of 123-112. This win marked a significant rebound for the Jazz after suffering a staggering 55-point defeat just two nights prior to the Charlotte Hornets, a loss that was the second largest in franchise history since their relocation from New Orleans in 1979.
Keyonte George was a standout performer, scoring an impressive 32 points, including 16 crucial points in the third quarter. His remarkable free throw shooting was evident as he finished a perfect 12 for 12 at the charity stripe, along with contributing nine assists to his team’s efforts. Lauri Markkanen also played a vital role, adding 28 points and pulling down 12 rebounds, maintaining his position as one of the league's top scorers with an average of 27.8 points per game.
Jusuf Nurkic made a notable return to the lineup after missing the previous two games due to a toe injury, contributing 11 points and a remarkable 17 rebounds, demonstrating his importance to the team's inside game.
For the Cavaliers, Darius Garland led the scoring with 23 points, while Donovan Mitchell added 21 points. Despite this, the Cavaliers have faced challenges lately, losing two of their last three games.
The game began with Cleveland racing ahead, leading by 17 points midway through the first quarter. However, the Jazz fought back, closing the gap significantly by halftime after a tremendous 26-8 run, which was spearheaded by Garland’s nine points during that stretch.
After establishing a 10-point lead early in the third quarter, the Cavaliers saw Utah respond with a powerful 21-8 run, flipping the momentum back in their favor. As the fourth quarter unfolded, Utah held a narrow 90-89 lead before executing a decisive 16-6 run over a three-minute span, effectively sealing their victory. Svi Mykhailiuk kickstarted this crucial run with a pair of three-pointers.
Both teams showcased impressive free throw shooting; Cleveland was perfect at the line with all 13 attempts converted, while Utah recorded an impressive 25 out of 28 free throws.
Looking ahead, the Jazz will travel to Chicago for their next game on Wednesday, while the Cavaliers are set to face off against the Philadelphia 76ers on the same day.
