Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (8) drives to the basket against Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the second quarter at Kaseya Center. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Tanking Jazz notch potentially costly win at Heat

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Feb 9, 2026 11:43 PM ET

Despite their worst efforts, the Utah Jazz couldn't will themselves to a loss on Monday.

The tanking Jazz defeated the Miami Heat (28-27, eighth in Eastern Conference) on the road, 115-111, while intentionally trying to lose by sitting their starting front court for the entire fourth quarter after entering the final 12 minutes up three.

The result could end up having a major impact on the 2026 NBA Draft lottery.

Utah Jazz win could hurt team in long run

At this stage of the season, Utah can only benefit from stacking losses. It's out of playoff contention at 17-37 and needs to have its first-round pick land in the top eight to avoid sending it to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, thanks to a 2021 Derrick Favors salary dump trade.

Jazz coach Will Hardy understood the assignment by benching forwards Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr., who had a team-high plus-15 plus-minus, and center Jusuf Nurkic for the entire fourth quarter against the Heat. But a group led by second-year pros Isaiah Collier and Kyle Filipowski and rookie Ace Bailey was enough to propel Utah to victory by outscoring Miami, 30-29.

No Markannen, no Jackson Jr, no Nurkic in the fourth for the Jazz, who were up 3 after 3 quarters. Utah outscored the Heat 30-29 in the third.
— Keerthika Uthayakumar (@keerthikau.bsky.social) 2026-02-10T03:16:29.550Z

Per Tankathon, the Jazz currently are in line for the No. 6 overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft with a three-game lead over the Dallas Mavericks (19-33), another team with little interest in winning the rest of this season.

Utah has a soft upcoming schedule in six of its next nine games, and if it isn't careful, it could get closer to losing its first-round pick. On Wednesday, the Jazz host the Sacramento Kings (12-43, 15th in Western Conference), losers of 13 straight, followed by a visit from the Portland Trail Blazers (25-28, 10th in Western Conference). They also play at the Memphis Grizzlies (20-31, 11th in Western Conference), the New Orleans Pelicans (15-40, 14th in Western Conference) twice at home and the Washington Wizards (14-38, 14th in Eastern Conference) on the road during the stretch.

The game against Miami presented Utah with an opportunity to add another loss and improve its draft standing. But the win could create problems down the road. If the Jazz want to keep their draft pick, they'll have to stoop lower. Monday's effort won't cut it.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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