Keyonte George’s standout performance helped the Utah Jazz (1-6) earn their first victory of the season, defeating the Chicago Bulls (3-4) 135-126 on Monday night. George posted a career-high 33 points and dished out nine assists, powering the Jazz to a season-best offensive showing.
Utah, which entered the game as the NBA’s lowest-scoring team, found its rhythm, shooting 53.9% from the field and connecting on 16 of 35 three-point attempts. John Collins provided strong support, scoring 28 points and securing 13 rebounds, while Collin Sexton added 24 points to bolster the Jazz’s offense.
The Bulls, playing without leading scorer Zach LaVine, fought hard but ultimately fell short. Coby White scored 28 points, with a third-quarter surge that tied the game twice. Ayo Dosunmu contributed 25 points, shooting 9-for-13 from the field, and Nikola Vucevic finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead Chicago’s frontcourt efforts.
Despite White’s efforts to close the gap in the third quarter, the Jazz responded with a decisive 21-11 run that put the game out of reach. George’s control on offense and his ability to create scoring opportunities allowed Utah to maintain its lead until the final buzzer.
Walker Kessler played a significant role defensively, adding 12 points and collecting 15 rebounds, while Cody Williams and Kyle Filipowski each contributed steady efforts in the paint. Utah’s bench chipped in effectively, with Johnny Juzang scoring eight points and Drew Eubanks adding four points and four rebounds.
Playing without Lauri Markkanen, who missed his third consecutive game with back spasms, the Jazz adjusted their lineup, relying on George’s scoring to fill the void. LaVine’s absence was equally felt for Chicago, as they missed his offensive presence and shot creation.
