NBAPreview

Pelicans' interior attack meets Jazz missing two big men

Utah has lost five straight and ranks 28th in offense. Its only win came against New Orleans, 120-119 in October.

Zion Williamson: 21.3 points a game on 62.9% shooting
Utah's offense: 103.3 points per 100 possessions, 28th of 30
New Orleans gets to the free-throw line at the third-highest rate

Published November 4, 2026 at 8:05 AM2 min read How this story was written

Final

Utah Jazz

New Orleans Pelicans

Box score and plays

The Pelicans (3-4), winners of three straight, host the Utah Jazz (1-6) on Wednesday night, with New Orleans' interior scoring facing a Jazz front line missing Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jusuf Nurkic.

New Orleans scores inside and at the line. Its true shooting percentage of 59.8 ranks fourth, and only two teams draw free throws at a higher rate. Utah ranks 27th in opponent free-throw rate, so Zion Williamson's drives meet a defense that fouls.

The Pelicans take the fewest threes in the league and do not need them. Jackson (26.1 minutes a game) and Nurkic are out, and Mo Bamba is questionable. Trey Alexander and Harrison Ingram are also out.

Jackson is expected back Monday, December 14, and Nurkic on Friday, November 13.

Utah arrives on a five-game losing streak. Its offense sits at 103.3 points per 100 possessions, 28th, and its effective field goal percentage also ranks 28th. New Orleans is 24th in opponent effective field goal percentage, so the Jazz will get chances.

The Jazz do hold up on the glass. They rank third in defensive rebounding, and the Pelicans are 24th on the offensive boards, which leaves New Orleans few second shots.

Williamson averages 21.3 points on 62.9% shooting and leads the team with 2.7 steals. Dejounte Murray hands out six assists a game in his four games.

Keyonte George carries Utah with 19.6 points and 5.4 assists, but he also turns it over 3.9 times a game. New Orleans ranks eighth at forcing turnovers. Jaxson Hayes blocks 2.2 shots a game at the other end.

The Pelicans are without Yves Missi, their leader with two blocks a game, who is expected back Sunday, November 8. Trey Murphy III, Julian Reese and Jordan Poole are probable; Jaron Pierre Jr. and Malik Dia are doubtful.

Utah lost its last two by wide margins, 119-97 at San Antonio and 112-90 at home to Portland. Its only win came against these Pelicans, 120-119 on Friday, October 23. New Orleans won its last game 135-134 at Memphis.

Tip-off is at 8 p.m. ET in New Orleans. Sportsbooks' prices give the Pelicans a 65% chance to win; our projection gives them 71%, by 6.9 points.