Jazz Facing A Ton Of Pressure After Another Early Playoff Exit

Last season, the Utah Jazz finished the regular season with a 50-22 mark, giving them the NBA’s best record for the first time in franchise history.

But, thanks in part to an injury suffered by Mike Conley and having a hobbled Donovan Mitchell, as well as an inability to combat small-ball lineups, the Jazz bowed out of the playoffs in the second round.

Utah collapsed after taking a 2-0 series lead against the Los Angeles Clippers, who played without their top star Kawhi Leonard.

This loss, coupled with the squandering of a 3-1 series lead against the Denver Nuggets in the previous postseason, continues to sting.

So the 2021-22 season stands as something of a make-or-break campaign for Utah’s core.

Another Playoff Disappointment

The Jazz sported the league’s best point differential as well, plus-9.2, a full three points better than the second-highest team.

Utah posted the sixth-best Net Rating in league history with their plus-11.2 mark.

Anchored by a three-time Defensive Player of the Year in All-Star Rudy Gobert, the Jazz posted the league’s third-best defensive efficiency rating, allowing 107.5 points per 100 possessions.

But in the playoffs, the team collapsed once again.

The team surrendered 121.7 points per 100 possessions in the postseason, and ultimately squandered another commanding series lead.

Against the Clippers, Utah surrendered 125 points per game over four straight losses that ended its season.

What’s more, the Jazz coughed up a 25-point lead in Game 6 against Los Angeles, throwing away the opportunity to host Game 7 on their home floor.

It didn’t help that the team lost Conley to injury in the first round.

On the bright side, this disappointing playoff effort has the chance to galvanize this core.