October 29, 2026 at 5:40 AM UTC

Postgame Report

Spurs hold off a banged-up Jazz team, 117-111, in Salt Lake City

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San Antonio arrived on a surge and left with a 117-111 win over a Utah team that came in with Lauri Markkanen questionable and Jaren Jackson Jr. out for weeks.

The Spurs beat the Jazz 117-111 on Wednesday night in Salt Lake City, and the night was shaped before tip-off by the status of Lauri Markkanen. Utah listed its best scorer as questionable with a right wrist sprain, which left the Jazz planning around a player whose availability was in doubt. Any lineup built on him comes with an asterisk until he is cleared.

The tag was not alarming in itself. Markkanen left Monday's loss to Memphis early and did not return, but an MRI afterward left him day-to-day rather than sidelined for a long stretch. That was the best news the Jazz had all week, and it kept him in the conversation for this game.

The other news was worse. Jaren Jackson Jr. tore the MCL in his right knee in that same Memphis game and will be reevaluated in about six weeks. That takes a big piece out of Utah's frontcourt, and the Jazz have to get that production from the bigs who remain. Markkanen, wrist permitting, may have to take on a little more, and the guards will need to carry some of the scoring load too.

San Antonio came in as the hotter team, and Utah as the one trying to find its footing while short-handed. The six-point final fit that picture: the Spurs got what they came for, and the Jazz left with an injury list that is still long and no easy fix before the next game.

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