Utah Jazz Face Cleveland Cavaliers in NBA Road Challenge
Cleveland, January 12, 2026 – The Utah Jazz, reeling from a humiliating 150-95 loss to the Charlotte Hornets that saw fans boo their own team, embark on a five-game road trip starting with a matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell, are in strong form after a recent victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Recent Form and Key Context
The Jazz’s performance against Charlotte marked their worst defeat since relocating to Salt Lake City in 1979, with issues in rebounding and three-point shooting. Coach Will Hardy emphasized moving forward, but the team faces challenges with key injuries. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have won five of their last seven games and sit in a top-six Eastern Conference playoff position, boasting improved health and standout play from Jaylon Tyson.
Injuries and Lineups
Several players are sidelined for this game. For the Jazz, centre Walker Kessler is out for the season due to shoulder surgery, while power forward Georges Niang is out with a foot injury. Centre Jusuf Nurkic is probable with a toe issue, and small forward Alondes Bailey is questionable due to a hip injury. On the Cavaliers’ side, power forward Dean Wade is out with a knee injury, and small forward Max Strus is out with a foot injury, expected to miss at least four more weeks.
Head-to-Head History
The Jazz and Cavaliers have faced off multiple times in recent seasons, with Cleveland holding a slight edge. Below is a summary of their last 10 regular-season meetings:
| Date | Winner | Score | ATS | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 23, 2025 | Cleveland | 120-91 | CLE -16.5 | u240.5 |
| Dec 23, 2024 | Cleveland | 124-113 | UTA 14.0 | o232.5 |
| Apr 02, 2024 | Utah | 129-113 | CLE -9.5 | o218.0 |
| Dec 20, 2023 | Cleveland | 124-116 | CLE -3.5 | o226.0 |
| Jan 10, 2023 | Utah | 116-114 | UTA 3.0 | o226.5 |
| Dec 19, 2022 | Cleveland | 122-99 | CLE -6.5 | u223.0 |
| Jan 12, 2022 | Utah | 111-91 | CLE 5.0 | u222.0 |
| Dec 05, 2021 | Cleveland | 109-108 | CLE 4.5 | o212.5 |
| Mar 29, 2021 | Utah | 114-75 | UTA -16.0 | u220.5 |
| Jan 12, 2021 | Utah | 117-87 | UTA -12.0 | u208.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How have the teams performed recently?
The Jazz are struggling, with a 13-25 record, while the Cavaliers are at 22-18 and have shown strong offensive output, including a game where five players scored 20 or more points.
What are the key injury concerns?
For Utah, Kessler’s absence leaves them thin in the post, and Niang’s injury further weakens their frontcourt. Cleveland is missing Wade and Strus but remains healthy overall.
What should fans expect in this matchup?
Expect a competitive game with Cleveland’s pace and shooting potentially overwhelming Utah’s depleted roster, though the Jazz could rally with homegrown talent like Bryce Sensabaugh.