Jazz Edge Pelicans 120-119 in Salt Lake City Thriller

The Utah Jazz survived a tense final possession to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 120-119 on October 24, 2026, closing a back-and-forth game with timely shot-making and one final defensive stand. Lauri Markkanen led Utah with 32 points, while Keyonte George delivered the go-ahead basket in the final minute.

The Pelicans had a chance to win at the buzzer, but Zion Williamson’s contested drive rolled off the rim, allowing the Jazz to escape with a one-point win. The result capped a night of wild swings, with neither team leading by more than nine points at any stage.

How the Game Unfolded

New Orleans controlled much of the first half behind Williamson’s power and CJ McCollum’s shot-making. The Pelicans attacked the paint relentlessly and built a 61-56 halftime lead. Utah stayed close thanks to Markkanen’s perimeter shooting and George’s ability to create off the dribble.

The Jazz flipped the game in the third quarter with a 14-3 run, forcing New Orleans into turnovers and pushing the pace. The Pelicans recovered in the fourth, and the lead changed hands seven times in the final six minutes. With 38 seconds remaining, George hit a step-back jumper to put Utah ahead 120-119. New Orleans called timeout and went to Williamson, but Utah’s help defense arrived just in time to contest the final shot.

Standout Performers

• Lauri Markkanen scored 32 points and grabbed nine rebounds, carrying Utah’s offense for long stretches.
• Keyonte George finished with 24 points and seven assists, including the game-winning jumper.
• Walker Kessler added 12 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks, anchoring the paint against Williamson.
• Zion Williamson led New Orleans with 33 points and 10 rebounds, overpowering defenders around the rim.
• CJ McCollum contributed 24 points for the Pelicans, hitting several tough shots in the fourth quarter.

Tactical Story

Utah’s offense relied on spacing and movement, with Markkanen stretching the floor and George operating out of pick-and-roll. The Jazz generated quality looks by forcing New Orleans to switch, then attacking the mismatches. Defensively, Utah’s bigs did just enough to slow Williamson, often sending late help and forcing him into contested finishes.

New Orleans won the interior battle for much of the night, but the Pelicans struggled to contain Utah’s three-point shooting in the second half. The Jazz also took care of the ball down the stretch, avoiding the costly turnovers that had plagued them earlier. The final possession came down to execution, and Utah’s defense made the one play it needed.

What It Means

The win gives Utah a hard-fought home result and another strong data point for its young backcourt. George’s poise in the clutch was encouraging, and Markkanen remains the team’s offensive anchor. For New Orleans, the loss is a painful one, but Williamson’s dominance and McCollum’s shot-making are clear positives. The Pelicans will look back at a few late defensive possessions as the difference in a game that was decided by a single point.