Jazz perfectly captures fueling in the most painful way possible

This isn’t good timing after the Utah Jazz’s impressive win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, losses like the one against the Charlotte Hornets should not be discounted. Before the Jazz’s win over the Cavaliers, being torn limb from limb by the Hornets was not a good look, and there was a photo that summed up the feeling.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst shared this photo during the Hoop Collective podcast yesterday, and the somber look wasn’t exactly encouraging.

This is the photo they found, shared by Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune.

The match was probably already lost at that point, so ending the match was essentially a formality, even though it was already clear what the final outcome would be. It’s not a great feeling to be beaten at home – by a team that is currently even worse than you – but to be beaten by the over-50s is a whole new feeling in itself.

It’s funny because Utah bounced back from this pretty well. It turns out they’re much better when Lauri Markkanen plays, which he did against the Cavaliers, who happen to be his former team.

It’s great and all, but let’s be honest: this season has had extreme highs and miserable lows. When games like the one against the Hornets happen, it feels like confirmation that the Jazz will only lose more games from here in this particular fashion. However, when games like the one against the Cavaliers happen, it feels like confirmation that the Jazz’s future is promising.

Will the Jazz see more games like the Hornets or Cavaliers?

That’s hard to say because of what’s at stake. It’s clear that Markkanen is not a good statistic and a bad team player. If he plays, the Jazz have a chance against anyone. It’s absolutely the opposite if he doesn’t. So where Utah goes depends on how they handle Markkanen.

They’re not the same team they were last season, which in this context means they’re not nearly as bad as they will be in 2025. But everyone knows that if they try, they risk giving that pick to Oklahoma City, a team with a pretty good history of hitting home runs with their draft picks under Sam Presti.

There is still enough season left for the Jazz to really go any direction. What helps them is that the teams in charge are not too far ahead of them. Indiana and Washington once were, but they’ve gotten their act together lately.

If Utah sees more games like the one against Charlotte, it would be hard to swallow, but fans could take comfort in knowing it will give the team a new pick. If Utah sees more games like the one against Cleveland, fans might not be cool with hurting their lottery chances, but it’s cool to know that the Jazz are one step closer to becoming a playoff contender than we think.

It will really all depend on whether we see more photos like the one Larsen shared.