Keyonte George's Career Day Isn't Enough for Jazz

The Utah Jazz fell to the New Orleans Pelicans in overtime on Wednesday. Utah lost 120-113 after an emphatic third quarter.

Trailing by five at the half, Utah exploded in the third quarter, outscoring New Orleans 43-28. The Pelicans rallied in the fourth quarter, then edged out the Jazz to take the victory.

Keyonte George did all he could in the losing effort. He played 44 minutes and scored 39 points. He went 14-of-26 from the field and 2-of-9 from 3-point range. George also added nine assists and four steals. In overtime, George hit two 3-pointers, then the Pelicans went on a 14-0 run to seal the game.

George's 39 points trail only his career-high 43, which he scored against the Minnesota Timberwolves in January 2026. It's the second time he's had 39 in a game. He also scored 39 against the Memphis Grizzlies in December 2025.

George has seemingly been the only source of creation on offense eight games into the 2026-27 season. He is averaging 22 points, four rebounds and close to six assists per game. His 22 points per game is the most on the Jazz, and five more than Lauri Markkanen's 17.1 points.

The Jazz signed him in September to a five-year, $157.5 million rookie extension. Front office members and coach Will Hardy pointed to George's growth and leadership.

The question is: Is the contract buying individual production or is it buying wins?

Now, one game, or a tough stretch for the Jazz, does not determine a five-year deal. The record reflects the whole roster, not just George. How much does the 1-7 start to the season reflect on him?

The only knock on George right now is the turnovers, but that's expected from a point guard trying to create for himself and others on the floor. He is averaging 3.8 turnovers in 32 minutes per game.

Who else can create when he starts getting doubled, or the shot isn't falling? Markkanen is capable of going off for 30-plus-point performances. It was normal for him to achieve that threshold last season. Markkanen had 13 30-point performances in 2025-26.

But fans haven't seen that from him this season.

It doesn't help that Jaren Jackson Jr. is out for the foreseeable future and rookie Darryn Peterson is still adjusting to NBA defenses.

Five players on the roster are averaging double-digit points, but the shooting percentage from behind the arc has been pedestrian. The Jazz are shooting 33% from deep, which is good for 22nd in the league.

The Jazz travel to Dallas on Friday, Nov. 6. It will be the second game of their three-game road trip.