Predictions Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks

Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks Game Analysis | 17-01-2026 | NBA

In a crucial regular-season matchup on January 17, 2026, at 10:00 PM in the American Airlines Center, the Utah Jazz (14-27) face the Dallas Mavericks (16-26). Both teams are navigating challenging seasons, with records well below expectations, making this a pivotal game for momentum, albeit one heavily impacted by extensive injury lists.

Utah Jazz Team Performance

The Utah Jazz arrive in Dallas struggling at 14-27. Their recent performance is inconsistent, relying heavily on individual brilliance. A significant weakness is their depleted frontcourt, with Walker Kessler out for the season and Lauri Markkanen sidelined with illness, removing crucial scoring and defensive presence. The team’s offensive flow often stems from Keyonte George, but without Markkanen, defenses can key in. Rebounding, however, remains a strength with Jusuf Nurkic.

Utah Jazz Key Players

Points: Keyonte George (23.7)
Rebounds: Jusuf Nurkic (10.0)
Assists: Keyonte George (6.8)
Rating: Keyonte George (23.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG)

Injury Report Utah Jazz

Lauri Markkanen (Out): Markkanen (illness) has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Mavericks.
Elijah Harkless (Out): Harkless finished Monday’s 105-103 win over the Celtics with three points (1-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), one rebound, two assists and one steal across 21 minutes.
Georges Niang (Out): Niang (foot) has been ruled out for Monday’s game against the Cavaliers.
Walker Kessler (Out): Kessler will undergo left shoulder surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports.

Dallas Mavericks Team Performance

The Mavericks, with a 16-26 record, face an even more dire situation, severely hampered by an unprecedented injury crisis to their core players. The absence of Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Dereck Lively II has stripped the team of primary scoring, playmaking, and interior defense. This forces role players into expanded roles, leading to inconsistent offensive execution and defensive lapses. The potential absence of Cooper Flagg (doubtful) and Daniel Gafford (doubtful) would further cripple their rotation.

Dallas Mavericks Key Players

Points: Cooper Flagg (18.8)
Rebounds: P.J. Washington (7.4)
Assists: Ryan Nembhard (5.3)
Rating: Cooper Flagg (18.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.8 BPG)

Injury Report Dallas Mavericks

Max Christie (Day-to-day): Christie (illness) is probable for Saturday’s game against Utah, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Cooper Flagg (Day-to-day): Flagg (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Saturday’s game against the Jazz.
P.J. Washington (Day-to-day): Washington is probable for Saturday’s game against the Jazz due to right ankle injury management.
Daniel Gafford (Day-to-day): Gafford (ankle) is doubtful to play Saturday versus Utah.
Anthony Davis (Out): A second opinion revealed Davis (finger) won’t require surgery, and he’ll be re-evaluated in six weeks, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Dereck Lively II (Out): Lively successfully underwent surgery on his right foot Sunday.
Kyrie Irving (Out): Irving (knee) remains out indefinitely and doesn’t have a return timetable, Mavericks reporter Grant Afseth said during an appearance on HoopsHype’s podcast ‘Around the Beat’ on Friday.
Dante Exum (Out): The Mavericks announced Thursday that Exum will undergo season-ending knee surgery.

Prediction: Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks

Considering the catastrophic injury list for the Dallas Mavericks, including Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Dereck Lively II being out, and Cooper Flagg and Daniel Gafford doubtful, the Jazz hold a distinct advantage despite their own significant absences. Keyonte George will be the most impactful player on the court. The Mavericks’ lack of primary offensive creators and interior defense will be too much to overcome.

Predicted Winner: Utah Jazz

Total Points Prediction: Under 242.5

Last 5 Games: UTAH

Form:

LLWLW

VS @ Dallas

L 144-122

PTS Sensabaugh 27

REB Williams 6

AST Collier 12

VS @ Chicago

L 128-126

PTS Sensabaugh 43

REB Filipowski 7

AST George 7

VS @ Cleveland

W 123-112

PTS George 32

REB Nurkic 17

AST George 9

VS vs Charlotte

L 150-95

PTS Sensabaugh 26

REB Filipowski 10

AST Collier 9

VS vs Dallas

W 116-114

PTS Markkanen 33

REB Love 10

AST George 7

Opponent	Result	Points	Rebounds	Assists
@ Dallas	L 144-122	Sensabaugh 27	Williams 6	Collier 12
@ Chicago	L 128-126	Sensabaugh 43	Filipowski 7	George 7
@ Cleveland	W 123-112	George 32	Nurkic 17	George 9
vs Charlotte	L 150-95	Sensabaugh 26	Filipowski 10	Collier 9
vs Dallas	W 116-114	Markkanen 33	Love 10	George 7

Last 5 Games: DAL

Form:

WLWLL

VS vs Utah

W 144-122

PTS Thompson 26

REB Cisse 13

AST Nembhard 10

VS vs Denver

L 118-109

PTS Marshall 24

REB Gafford 10

AST Nembhard 4

VS vs Brooklyn

W 113-105

PTS Flagg 27

REB Powell 10

AST Marshall 9

VS @ Chicago

L 125-107

PTS Nembhard 16

REB Cisse 10

AST Nembhard 6

VS @ Utah

L 116-114

PTS Flagg 26

REB Davis 11

AST Flagg 8

Opponent	Result	Points	Rebounds	Assists
vs Utah	W 144-122	Thompson 26	Cisse 13	Nembhard 10
vs Denver	L 118-109	Marshall 24	Gafford 10	Nembhard 4
vs Brooklyn	W 113-105	Flagg 27	Powell 10	Marshall 9
@ Chicago	L 125-107	Nembhard 16	Cisse 10	Nembhard 6
@ Utah	L 116-114	Flagg 26	Davis 11	Flagg 8

Predictions Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks | NBA 17.01.26

Utah Jazz

Dallas Mavericks

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