Jazz eliminated from playoffs, focus remains the lottery

It’s official. The Jazz are done.

Utah was eliminated from playoff contention after a 147-111 loss to Minnesota, dropping to 20-49. Even a late push wouldn’t have mattered. The math wasn’t there.

The game itself followed the script. Minnesota controlled it early and never let go, even without Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid. Utah didn’t have the firepower or consistency to keep up.

That’s been the story.

The Jazz haven’t been above .500 since the opening week. Injuries didn’t help. Lauri Markkanen has been limited and hasn’t played regularly since February. Walker Kessler barely got started before a season-ending shoulder injury.

Now comes the pivot. Utah is sitting near the bottom of the standings, right where it expected to be. The focus shifts to lottery odds and what comes next.

There are pieces. There’s a plan. But this season? It’s over.