Jazz Find Rhythm in Indy: Collier’s Historic Night Leads Shorthanded Squad Past Pacers 131-122

Sometimes, the most memorable performances come when the deck is stacked against you. On a Tuesday night in Indianapolis, between the Jazz and Pacers, with a roster depleted by trades and injuries, the Utah Jazz didn’t just show up; they put on a clinic in resilience.

Led by sophomore sensation Isaiah Collier, who dished out a career-high 22 assists—the most by any NBA player this season—the Jazz stunned the Indiana Pacers 131-122. It was a night that felt less like a mid-season slog and more like a statement of intent from a young core finding its identity.

A Night for the History Books

You have to go back to 1992 to find a Utah Jazz player dropping dimes like this. That player? John Stockton. When your name is being mentioned in the same breath as the Hall of Fame point guard, you’re doing something right.

Collier was masterful, controlling the tempo for a team that had every excuse to fold. Earlier in the day, the Jazz front office had been busy, shipping out Georges Niang, Kyle Anderson, Walter Clayton Jr., and Taylor Hendricks to Memphis. In return, they acquired Jaren Jackson Jr. With Keyonte George, Kevin Love, and Walker Kessler also sidelined, Utah was left with a skeleton crew of just seven healthy bodies.

But Collier didn’t see a depleted roster; he saw opportunities. He played all 48 minutes, orchestrating the offense with the poise of a ten-year veteran.

“I just wanted to keep guys involved,” Collier said postgame, though his play spoke louder than his words.

Markkanen and the Supporting Cast Step Up

While Collier was the conductor, Lauri Markkanen was the lead soloist. The Finnish forward poured in 27 points, proving once again why he is the cornerstone of this franchise. Markkanen’s ability to score from anywhere on the floor kept the Pacers’ defense scrambling, opening up lanes for his teammates.

And they feasted. Every single one of the seven Jazz players who touched the floor scored at least 14 points. It was the definition of “next man up.”

Brice Sensabaugh chipped in 20 points, looking confident with his shot selection. Ace Bailey added 19, and Kyle Filipowski was a beast on the boards, racking up a massive double-double with 16 points and 16 rebounds.

This wasn’t just a win; it was a validation of the culture they are building in Salt Lake City.

Pacers Can’t Find an Answer

On the other side, the Pacers looked like a team searching for answers. Despite having 24 points apiece from Quenton Jackson and Jarace Walker, Indiana couldn’t match Utah’s intensity.

It was a strange night for the home team. They were without their heavy hitters—Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin, and Andrew Nembhard all sat out for rest or minor knocks. Kam Jones, making his first career start, tried to provide a spark with 12 points, but the defensive cohesion just wasn’t there.

The Pacers kept it close for a half, entering the locker room tied at 56. But the third quarter belonged to Utah. The Jazz erupted for 40 points in the frame, capitalizing on Indiana’s turnovers and burying open looks generated by Collier’s elite vision.

The Human Element

Beyond the box score, there was a palpable emotion on the court. You could see it in the way the Jazz bench—what little there was of it—erupted after every bucket. You could see it in the exhausted but jubilant smiles as the final buzzer sounded.

Trades are hard. Seeing teammates and friends pack their bags is a harsh reality of the NBA business. For the players left behind, there is often a mix of uncertainty and sadness. To channel that energy into a performance like this? That takes character.

This game won’t decide the championship. The Jazz are still 16-35, fighting through a rebuild. But for one night in February, they looked like world-beaters. They reminded us why we watch this game: for the unexpected heroes, the historic milestones, and the sheer joy of competition.

Isaiah Collier might be a sophomore, but on Tuesday night, he looked like the future. And for the Utah Jazz, the future suddenly looks a little bit brighter.