What to know as CSU men’s basketball hosts Utah State: TV, time, more

It’s a key Mountain West rematch as the Utah State men’s basketball team visits Colorado State. Here’s what to know as the Rams seek some payback.

In the press conference following the Jan. 20 win over Air Force, Colorado State men’s basketball coach Ali Farokhmanesh was asked about the next game for the Rams.

Utah State is up next and it wasn’t long ago those teams played for the first time this season. That was Dec. 20 when everything went sideways for CSU.

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Star Kyle Jorgensen went down injured minutes into the game and the Rams were overwhelmed in a stunning 100-58 blowout loss. Jorgensen’s injury absence clearly impacted CSU’s slow start to Mountain West play.

Now he’s back and the Rams get a shot at Utah State. Is the locker room feeling some extra focus and motivation after the first matchup? Farokhmanesh was posed that question. He paused, deliberated and his succinct answer likely belies the full feeling the team has.

“Yeah, we remember it,” the coach said.

It will be a big night in Moby Arena for CSU.

Here’s a look at everything to know about the CSU men’s basketball game against Utah State:

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What time does Utah State vs Colorado State basketball start?

  • Date: Jan. 23

  • Start time: 8 p.m. MT

The game between Colorado State and Utah State will begin at 8 p.m. Mountain from Moby Arena in Fort Collins.

How can you watch Colorado State vs Utah State basketball on TV, online?

  • On TV: FS1

  • Online: Fox Sports Go app, Fubo

The CSU at Boise State men’s basketball game will be broadcast nationally on FS1.

How to find Fox Sports 1 (FS1)

  • Comcast/Xfinity: Channel 408 (777 for HD)

  • DirecTV: Channel 219

  • Dish Network: Channel 150

  • Fort Collins Connexion: Channel 55

  • The broadcast can also be livestreamed through FoxSports.com or the Fox Sports Go app or via Fubo.

How to listen on the radio

The CSU vs. Utah State game can be heard on FM 99.1 with play-by-play from Brian Roth and analysis by Adam Nigon.

Who are the coaches?

Utah State is led by Jerrod Calhoun, who is in his second season with the Aggies. He’s 41-11 at Utah State and 159-117 overall as a Division I head coach.

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CSU is led by Ali Farokhmanesh, who is in his first season as a head coach. He had been a CSU assistant since 2018 under former head coach Niko Medved. Farokhmanesh is 12-7.

What are the records?

Utah State is 15-3 overall and 6-2 in Mountain West play. The Aggies are coming off back-to-back losses, the last an 86-76 home defeat to UNLV.

CSU is 12-7 overall and 3-5 in Mountain West play. The Rams are coming off an 81-52 win over Air Force.

Utah State vs Colorado State betting odds

Utah State is a 4.5-point favorite, according to BetMGM.

Stadium information

The game will be at Moby Arena in Fort Collins. Moby has a capacity of 8,093.

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Tickets are available at CSURams.com/tickets. CSU is calling it the “stripe out” game with fans encouraged to either wear green or white based on their section.

Green is for sections: D, F, H, J, L, N, P and students. White is for sections C, E, G, M, O, Q and R.

What do the metrics say?

Colorado State is No. 90 in KenPom’s rankings and Utah State is No. 34. KenPom’s metrics project a 78-75 win for Utah State. CSU is No. 97 in Bart Torvik’s T-Rank and Utah State is No. 32. Torvik’s metrics project a 78-74 Utah State win.

In the NCAA’s NET rankings, Utah State is No. 26 and CSU is No. 92.

Who are key players to watch?

UTAH STATE

  • Mason Falslev: The 6-foot-4 guard is second on the team in scoring at 16.9 points per game and leads the Mountain West with 43 steals. He had 18 points against CSU in the first matchup of the season.

  • MJ Collins Jr.: The 6-foot-4 guard leads the Mountain West in scoring at 19.3 points per game and is hitting 43% of his 3-pointers. Collins had 15 points against CSU in the first game in just 21 minutes played.

  • Garry Clark: The 6-foot-9 forward averages 8.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

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COLORADO STATE

  • Kyle Jorgensen: The 6-foot-9 forward returned to the starting lineup last game after being out since he was injured early in the first matchup against Utah State. He was CSU’s leading scorer at the time of his injury. Jorgensen is averaging 12.6 points per game and shooting 62% from the field and 49% from 3-point range.

  • Rashaan Mbemba: Also recently back from injury, the 6-foot-7 big started alongside Jorgensen for the first time all season last game. He is 11-15 (73%) shooting in his three starts.

  • Jevin Muniz: The 6-foot-6 wing recently moved to the bench as part of a lineup shift with Farokhmanesh hoping his playmaking ability will add depth and scoring ability deeper into the lineup. Muniz is third in the Mountain West at 4.5 assists per game. His ball-handling will be key against Utah State’s high-pressure defense.

Sports reporter Kevin Lytle can be found on social media on XInstagram and Threads @Kevin_Lytle and on Bluesky.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: What channel is Utah State vs Colorado State basketball on today? Time, TV

Source: Utah News

Gov. Cox asks Utah Legislature to pursue happiness — and a bell-to-bell phone ban

On the third day of the 2026 legislative session, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox encouraged lawmakers to address some of Utah’s most pressing issues, like housing, education and social media policies, but he …

On the third day of the 2026 legislative session, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox encouraged lawmakers to address some of Utah’s most pressing issues, like housing, education and social media policies, but he also asked them to pursue happiness — as the Founding Fathers had.

The Thursday evening address was attended by lawmakers from both chambers, statewide elected officials and members of the state Supreme Court. As the country approaches its 250th birthday, the governor leaned heavily into the teachings of the nation’s founders.

“Conventional thinking today defines ‘the pursuit of happiness’ as something like the pursuit of pleasure or materialism, but that’s not what the founders meant,” Cox said. “To the founders, the pursuit of happiness had everything to do with character, self-mastery, moral formation and a life oriented toward purpose and public service. Happiness wasn’t feeling good — it was being good.”

In his remarks, Cox asked that lawmakers consider limiting the number of bills they run, noting there’s been a significant increase in the number of bills run in recent years.

“We are still working to implement the 582 bills passed last session,” the governor said.

He commended Rep. Stephen Whyte, R-Mapleton, who, Cox said, “had several bills he was planning to run this year. However, after calls to different cabinet members, he was able to find solutions and drop those bills.”

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Gov. Spencer Cox delivers his State of the State address at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.

In the lead-up to the session, much of Cox’s policy focus has been on literacy and banning cell phones during school hours.

“Nearly half of our third graders are not reading at grade level — and too many of those children never catch up,” he said. “That should concern us because reading is how people learn to think and govern themselves. A society that cannot read cannot reason together, and when reasoning breaks down, power rushes in to fill the void.”

Cox described literacy as “moral infrastructure” and thanked Sen. Ann Millner, R-Ogden, and Rep. Karen Peterson, R-Clinton, for taking the lead on literacy bills.

“We desperately need a bell-to-bell phone ban in schools across Utah,” he said. “Let’s give the school day, the full school day, back to kids to learn, connect and just be kids again.”

As he concluded his speech, Cox spoke to the national political environment.

“Patiently built in an unforgiving desert, our state has become perhaps the greatest success story of the American experiment,” Cox said. But he warned that “dark clouds are building all around us,” referring to political polarization and contempt.

“Honestly, we see it in both major political parties and those who represent us at the national level, making a mockery of Franklin’s virtues — rewarding grift, rejecting decency, and wantonly tearing down the very institutions that made us the envy of every nation,” Cox told lawmakers.

“Have faith in America,” the governor concluded. “Have faith in Utah. And always — have faith.”

In their response to the governor’s address, Democratic leaders from both chambers focused on addressing economic uncertainty and social programs to support Utah families.

“We cannot call our economy strong when children are going hungry, when housing is out of reach, or when parents are forced to choose between childcare and a paycheck,” Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, said. “Utah prides itself on being a family state. That has to mean more than words. It means showing up for families in real ways and building a future where they don’t just get by, but truly succeed.”

House Minority Leader Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, addressed several recent shootings in the state in her own remarks.

“Moments like those remind us that people deserve to feel safe when they’re gathering with their neighbors, attending school or church, or exercising their First Amendment rights through peaceful assembly and free speech,” Romero said. “Community safety means taking threats seriously and being willing to have honest conversations about sensible gun safety laws.”

Following the speech, Senate President J. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, said Cox’s address “showcased how Utah’s strength is built on its character.”

“As we celebrate 250 years of the great American experiment,” Adams said in his statement, “Utah continues to lead by example, proving that responsible leadership, limited government and shared values deliver freedom and lasting prosperity.”

Read a copy of the governor’s full speech below:

Note to readers • The Salt Lake Tribune is making this story about the Utah Legislature free to all. Donate to support our nonprofit newsroom.

Source: Utah News

Driver accused of striking and killing pedestrian in Sandy was six times over Utah’s blood alcohol limit

The woman accused of striking and killing a 44-year-old man at a crosswalk in Sandy has been charged. Documents say she was six times over Utah’s blood alcohol limit.

Driver accused of striking and killing pedestrian in Sandy was six times over Utah’s blood alcohol limit

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

SANDY, Utah (ABC4) — The woman accused of striking and killing a 44-year-old man at a crosswalk in Sandy has been charged. Documents say she was six times over Utah’s blood alcohol limit.

Zoe Blankenstein, 55, of Draper, has been charged with automobile homicide, interfering with a police officer, having an open container or drinking alcohol in a vehicle, and failing to obey a stop sign.

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On Jan. 15, just before 7 p.m., 44-year-old Joshua Perry was walking in the crosswalk at 1000 E and 11000 S, near Alta High School, in Sandy. A vehicle ran the stop sign and struck Perry, causing him to be thrown into another vehicle and critically injured.

Pedestrian struck by vehicle in Sandy dies, driver booked for impaired driving

Medical crews responded and transported Perry to the hospital, but he was ultimately pronounced deceased.

At the scene of the crash, law enforcement located the vehicle that struck Perry, and reportedly found that the driver was Blankenstein. She told officers that she was driving home from celebrating her birthday at the Tin Roof Grill.

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Despite there only being stop signs at the crosswalk, Blankenstein allegedly stated that she saw the light turn green and started driving when she suddenly struck a person who “came out of nowhere.”

Blankenstein was having difficulty maintaining her balance and had slurred speech. She declined to perform any sobriety tests, and officers say that she resisted being arrested, even urinating on herself and the officers’ shoes.

Fatal crash at ‘troubled’ Sandy City intersection sparks demands for change, community speaks out

Ultimately, Blankenstein was transported to the Sandy City Police Department for questioning. Police performed a blood draw test, and her toxicology report showed that she had a blood alcohol level of 0.309, which is six times Utah’s limit of 0.05.

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During an interview with police, the 55-year-old allegedly admitted that she had started drinking around 4 p.m., but only had one beer and left the restaurant around 7 p.m. She told police she was under the influence of alcohol.

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Blankenstein continued to tell officers that she struck Perry while driving, but claimed he “came out of nowhere” and repeatedly mentioned that he was wearing dark clothing.

The Sandy City Police Department searched Blankenstein’s vehicle and allegedly located a tumbler-style cup that was “full of amber-colored liquid that smelled like beer.”

Blankenstein was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.

Source: Utah News

Recap: Hollow Utah Jazz spurred by, you guessed it, the Spurs

One look at the injury report, and it was clear that the Utah Jazz were welcoming Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio into the Delta Center for a 48-minute formality. We can do the whole song and …

One look at the injury report, and it was clear that the Utah Jazz were welcoming Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio into the Delta Center for a 48-minute formality. We can do the whole song and dance, or you can kindly take your victory and go.

No Lauri Markkanen, as he is still absent with the bubonic plague, or polio, or smallpox, or whatever illness has kept him sidelined for the past chunk of games. Cody Williams and Svi Mykhailiuk were officially in the starting lineup for this one, but with Keyonte George fresh off a 43-point season-high, and Jusuf Nurkic having just posted a triple-double in the same century win for head coach Will Hardy.

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But that was the only win Utah had picked up without the Finnisher to that point in the season, and it took all-world performances from George, Nurkic, and a 15-point fourth quarter comeback. Still, with all the confidence of a wild west gunslinger standing 20 paces from Fingerless Floyd at high noon, Keyonte George is enjoying the type of season where he can seemingly beat anybody when he’s on his game.

Keyonte George is often on his game these days.

So, it’s sort of challenging to define expectations for the Utah Jazz as the 2nd-best team in the West, San Antonio, entered the Salt Lake Valley with their full lineup of Fox, Castle, Harper, and some French fellow named Victor all available. The Spurs are both young and legitimate threats for the title this year — well ahead of schedule and joining Oklahoma City as the youthful leaders of the Western Conference, with a disturbingly wide window for contention.

Utah’s situation is… different. It’s been a slow burn, but the youth of Utah are beginning to find solid ground. George and Sensabaugh, especially, are giving observers reason to believe in their upside. Those players are in their third seasons — the fifth pick in the 2025 draft, however, is really beginning to put it together.

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Squaring off against his old Rutgers teammate, Ace Bailey started hot, knocking down his first four shots in the first quarter and tallying 10 points in the opening frame.

Then, in the second half, in the midst of a San Antonio separation act, Cody Williams uncorked the Delta Center with a coast-to-coast yam in rush-hour traffic.

It feels like Cody is good for a pair of dunks per game these days, but that? No, your honor, I cannot identify Cody Williams in that video, but I believe I spotted Giannis Antetokounmpo wearing number 5 in white.

But Cody’s flight was but a gentle distraction as the Spurs pushed their lead to double-digits and entered halftime with a 12-point advantage.

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I say this with only the slightest hint of irony: Jusuf Nurkic may actually be the love child of Nikola Jokic and 2016-17 Russell Westbrook. For the second straight game, the Bosnian Beast posted a triple-double. His dominance was so potent that even as the Spurs carried a double-digit advantage in the fourth quarter, they sent double-teams on his late-game touches.

If this were the first basketball game someone had ever watched, they might think that Nurkic was the best player on planet Earth. Victor Wembanyama was not enough to neutralize his offensive powers. 17 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds. Yeesh.

Meanwhile, Ace Bailey messed around and posted yet another career high, notching 25 points just after his previous high. He’s high-flying as always, feasting off a healthy helping of off-ball movement and cuts to the rim, while being more selective with his jump shots.

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Alas, the Spurs controlled late, pushing their lead and leading 126-109 as time expired.

Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Tokyo, Japan. He has covered the NBA and College Sports since 2024.

Source: Utah News

Earthquake safety enters the public eye following 4.7 magnitude rumble near Utah-Wyoming border

After a 4.7 magnitude earthquake shook northern Utah, officials are warning of aftershocks. Here’s how to stay safe during a potential tremor.

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — After a 4.7 magnitude earthquake shook northern Utah, officials are warning of aftershocks. Here’s how to stay safe during a potential tremor.

The quake hit just before 7:50 a.m. Thursday morning in the Uinta Mountains just a few miles west of the East Fork of the Bear River, just five miles south of the Utah-Wyoming border. The earthquake was measured at a magnitude of 4.7.

Courtesy: USGS

Courtesy: USGS

“Aftershocks are possible,” Box Elder County said in a social media post. “If you feel shaking again, remember to drop, cover, and hold on.”

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“It is possible that you could feel more shaking later today,” Keith Koper with the University of Utah Seismograph Station said. “The good news is we don’t have any reports of injuries or damage.”

Local businesses near epicenter of 4.7 magnitude earthquake in Uinta Mountains describe scene

According to officials, staying safe after an earthquake includes four key steps:

  • Expect aftershocks: Be ready to drop, cover, and hold on if you feel an aftershock.

  • Damaged Buildings: Do not enter damaged buildings.

  • Check for Injuries: Check for injuries to yourself and others.

  • Stay Informed: Pay attention to news reports at ABC4.com for emergency information.

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Koper says there have already been roughly six aftershocks detected. “The probability of a bigger earthquake is somewhere [between] 1 and 2%.”

Officials with Sandy City also shared how to prepare for the event of an earthquake.

The Great Utah ShakeOut is scheduled to take place on Apr. 16. Utahns will take part in drills at work, home, and school. Anyone can register to take part in the shake out here.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.

Source: Utah News

Spurs backup center Luke Kornet ruled out against Utah with groin injury

The Spurs’ backup center appeared on the injury report Wednesday and was ruled out against the Jazz just days after beating them 123-110 in San Antonio.

SALT LAKE CITY – The Spurs will lack depth in the frontcourt when they face Utah on Thursday night after they ruled out backup center Luke Kornet due to a groin injury.

Kornet popped up on the injury report Wednesday with what the club called left adductor tightness. He was ruled out after Thursday’s shootaround at the Delta Center.

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Thursday’s game will mark the first Kornet has missed since he sat out a loss at Cleveland on Dec. 5 with a sore left ankle.

In 36 games this season, Kornet has averaged 8.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 blocks. In 24 minutes in Tuesday’s 111-106 loss at Houston, he had eight points, six rebounds and two blocks.

Kornet logged 22 minutes in Monday’s 123-110 win over the Jazz at the Frost Bank Center, finishing with seven points, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks.

With Kornet out, Bismack Biyombo could see time backing up Victor Wembanyama.

The Spurs also could be without backup forward Jeremy Sochan, who is questionable with an illness.

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Utah will face the Spurs without Lauri Markkanen (return-to-competition conditioning). Keyonte George (forearm) and Brice Sensabaugh (illness) are questionable.

This article originally published at Spurs backup center Luke Kornet ruled out against Utah with groin injury.

Source: Utah News

Utah Jazz Reveal Injury Report for San Antonio Spurs Rematch

In 43 games, George is averaging 24.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 6.7 assists on 45.9% from the field, a night making for career-bests all across the board, but against San Antonio, he could be someone …

The Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs have each revealed their injury reports leading up to their second game in the past week, where the Jazz in particular have a handful of notable names to mention.

Here’s the full injury report landscape for the Jazz and Spurs before tip-off:

Utah Jazz Injury Report

OUT – G Elijah Harkless (G League – Two-Way)

OUT – C Walker Kessler (left shoulder; injury recovery)

OUT – F Lauri Markkanen (return to competition reconditioning)

OUT – F Georges Niang (left foot; fourth metatarsal stress reaction)

OUT – F John Tonje (G League – Two-Way)

OUT – C Oscar Tshiebwe (G League – Two-Way)

QUESTIONABLE – G Keyonte George (left forearm; strain)

QUESTIONABLE – G Brice Sensabaugh (illness)

The Jazz could be down both of their top two scorers for the action against San Antonio, as Markkanen is slated to miss his seventh game in a row, thus time due to return to competition reconditioning, while Keyonte George is a new addition to the injury report with a left forearm strain.

George’s entry comes fresh off his career-high scoring performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he logged an impressive 43 points on the night. But it looks like he might be forced to the side for a rare absence in his breakout third season, and keep the Jazz without some serious scoring upside in their starting lineup.

In 43 games, George is averaging 24.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 6.7 assists on 45.9% from the field, a night making for career-bests all across the board, but against San Antonio, he could be someone that Will Hardy will have to do without for just the second game this season.

Dec 27, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs

Dec 27, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

As for a positive update, the Jazz have upgraded Brice Sensabaugh from out to questionable for the first time since missing three games with an illness, and could provide Utah the necessary scoring spark during a game in which they could be without both Markkanen and George.

The status of Sensabaugh and George will be worth monitoring before being cemented before tip-off, but if either is ruled out, expect an expanded role on the offensive end for fifth-overall pick Ace Bailey, where the Jazz will need someone to help put points on the board against a challenging defensive matchup vs. San Antonio. 

San Antonio Spurs Injury Report

OUT – F Stanley Umude (G League – Two-Way)

QUESTIONABLE – F Jeremy Sochan (illness)

OUT – F Devin Vassell (left adductor strain)

QUESTIONABLE – C Luke Kornet (left adductor tightness)

OUT – G David Jones Garcia (G League – Two-Way)

OUT – F Harrison Ingram (G League – Two-Way)

As for the Spurs, they could be out a couple of notable names on their end as well––the biggest name being Devin Vassell, slated to miss a second game against the Jazz as he did earlier in the week, still recovering from a lingering adductor injury.

The Spurs could also be without the services of Jeremy Sochan and Luke Kornet, who are both questionable for the action and might leave San Antonio a bit more depleted than usual in the frontcourt.

However, with the one and only Victor Wembanyama set to be healthy and on the floor, his presence alone won’t make things easy for Utah to extend their winning ways to a second-straight victory.

Be sure to bookmark Utah Jazz On SI and follow @JazzOnSI on X to stay up-to-date on daily Utah Jazz news, interviews, breakdowns and more!

Source: Utah News

Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs Utah Jazz

The Spurs more or less thrashed the Jazz just before going the distance with the Rockets, and now they have the still-banged-up Utah team in their crosshairs after a quiet but public challenge to …

If there’s one thing that’s sure to help a team coming off a loss (and in the midst of dealing with an overly condensed schedule), it’s a double helping of patsy, sandwiched around the week’s biggest challenge.

The Spurs more or less thrashed the Jazz just before going the distance with the Rockets, and now they have the still-banged-up Utah team in their crosshairs after a quiet but public challenge to their mental and physical toughness from their coach, Mitch Johnson.

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How a team responds to that kind of critique is always worth watching, but you have to feel a little bit bad for the Jazz if the Spurs come out with a chip on their shoulders.

The Spurs were lights out against the Jazz on Monday, shooting just shy of 56% from the field and 42% from three, in a game where the final score fell short of expressing how over-matched the Jazz were.

The Jazz will still be without their leading scorer in Markkanen, and their best post defender in Walker Kessler, so San Antonio should be able to more or less arrange a layup line in this contest, even if their streaky outside shooting fails them.

The Spurs have been on a relative heater, though, ranking 7th in Effective Field Goal Percentage, 9th in True Shooting Percentage, 10th in Field Goal Percentage, 12th in Three-Point Percentage, and 7th in Offensive Rating, all of which are improvements over their extended post-Christmas slump.

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They’ve also avoided giving the ball away, ranking 8th in limiting turnovers and 6th in assist-to-turnover ratio, offering no help to a Jazz defense that’s been one place shy of dead last (29th in defensive rating) during that same stretch.

The only area in which the Jazz have outperformed the Spurs is in 2nd chance scoring, something the Spurs have struggled with both producing and preventing for most of the season.

So, if the Spurs go cold again, the Jazz are likely to be able to prevent them from taking another shot and to corral their own misses, which feels like their most realistic chance at victory.

If, however, the Spurs take Mitch Johnson’s post-game comments to heart, I wish the Jazz the best of luck because I would personally not want to be on the other side of an angry Spurs team that ranks in (or near) the top 10 in most offensive categories this season.

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January 22nd, 2026 | 8:00 PM CT

Watch: FanDuel Southwest| Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: Devin Vassell – Out (Groin), Luke Kornet – Questionable (Groin), Jeremy Sochan – Day-to-Day (Illness)

Jazz Injuries: Walker Kessler – Out (Shoulder), Georges Niang – Out (Foot), Keyonte George – Questionable (Forearm), Lauri Markkanen – Out (Conditioning), Brice Sensabaugh – Questionable (Illness)

Source: Utah News

Clayton Keller Launches Stick Into Crowd, Heroically Scores Game-Winner in Utah Mammoth Comeback Win Over Flyers

If anybody asks why Clayton Keller will be representing Team USA in this upcoming Olympics, immediately show them the game-winning overtime goal Keller just had in the Mammoth’s 5-4 overtime win …

If anybody asks why Clayton Keller will be representing Team USA in this upcoming Olympics, immediately show them the game-winning overtime goal Keller just had in the Mammoth’s 5-4 overtime win against the Flyers.

Thanks to Dylan Guenther capturing the attention of two Flyers, Keller was simply left too much space to work with as he quietly readied himself for the upcoming pass from Guenther.

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Cutting to the middle with ease, Keller launched the puck over the head of Samuel Ersson and scored the game-winning goal.

Naturally, he did the same with his hockey stick too:

“A lot of it is belief, and the mental talk that I’m saying to myself in my head,” said Keller. “I’ve always trusted my training. I know I’ve done everything possible to leave myself in a good position and let the rest take care of itself… I work on those touches and all those things.”

Any game-winning goal is sure to be a feat anyone can appreciate, especially when it comes in overtime.

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But not only did Keller score the game-winning goal, but he also singlehandedly- no seriously, it was an unassisted goal- got the game-tying goal and became the first player in franchise history to score an extra attacker goal.

“Just ‘nice play, nice shot.’ To get a 6-on-5 goal –we haven’t had one this year– it was a really nice individual effort by him,” said Dylan Guenther. “Nice route by him, too. Kind of a 2-on-2, caught his guys sleeping with nice shots, so he had a good game tonight.”

It doesn’t stop there. On way to scoring his unassisted goal, Keller also stole the puck from the Flyers’ Olympic-bound defenseman Travis Sanheim, who will be playing for Team Canada.

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Subsequently, Keller collected the puck, found the angle to drive past Sanheim, froze Ersson in the net before finally scoring the game-tying goal.

And just to add a little style to the goal, Keller finished the goal off with a leap over Philadelphia’s Cam York before his big, loud celebration.

No, there was no hockey stick thrown into the crowd on this one… that would be a dire penalty.

Considering the Mammoth were also down 3-0 earlier in the game, Keller was also able to lead just the second ever three-goal comeback in franchise history. The first came against the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this season

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It didn’t matter that Utah played a sloppy game or faced several multi-goal deficits, Keller was not going to let this team lose.

But even in a night where Keller had two of the most important moments of the game, there was one play that could have derailed all the hard work the Mammoth did to mount this comeback.

With an extra attacker in net and no Karel Vejmelka to make saves for the team, the game looked to be all but over when Garnet Hathaway collected the puck near center ice.

There was no one blocking Hathaway’s shot on the goal. All he had to do deliver the final blow was take the shot and give the Flyers a 5-3 win on the road.

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But there was just one hangup: Nick Schmaltz was not going to allow Hathaway to take the shot.

Instead of securing the win for Philadelphia, Hathaway’s slight hesitation gave Schmaltz just enough time to strip the puck from behind to prevent a shot on goal from happening.

“We talked about it in the room after, none of this happens if Nick Schmaltz doesn’t backcheck and give everything he’s got to strip them before they score on the empty net,” said Keller. “And that’s the difference sometimes.”

Without his high effort play, Utah would never get back on defense to prevent the Flyers from extending the lead and Keller never would have tied the game.

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Without Schmaltz, this game was over.

“You know what I’m happy about–I’m happy that everybody (saw) that. Because that’s what we see from (Schmaltz),” said André Tourigny. “Not everybody will see that and you need to pay attention. And when there’s a highlight play like that; I liked his performance and how he impacts our team. I’m glad for him and for everybody–who were here at the Delta Center or at home watching our game–who sees that. It can highlight what Nick Schmaltz means for our team.”

But even if Schmaltz had the most important save of the game, Vejmelka put in work against the Flyers too. Namely, on this save here, when he snatched the puck midair and stole a goal from the Flyers:

Making 25 saves on route to his win over Philadelphia Vejmelka now has won seven straight starts for the first time in his career. His previous high was six.

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On top of that, Vejmelka also has won seven home games in a row too. He is proving to be worth every penny for the Utah Mammoth.

There was a lot of key contributions from Mammoth players throughout the game whether it was Schmaltz heroics or when Utah scored two goals in just 36 seconds to cut the lead 3-2 in the second.

But thanks to the very clutch fight Jack McBain had with Philly’s Noah Juulsen, which drew an additional roughing minor on Juulsen, Utah was able to get a power play opportunity and score to cut the lead to 4-3.

Jan 21, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Noah Juulsen (47) and Utah Mammoth center Jack McBain (22) fight during the third period at Delta Center. (Rob Gray-Imagn Images).

Jan 21, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Noah Juulsen (47) and Utah Mammoth center Jack McBain (22) fight during the third period at Delta Center. (Rob Gray-Imagn Images).

“No. I love Jules, but take a punch in the mouth. You’ve got to win the game. I don’t even know what happened,” said Philadelphia Flyers’ Rick Tocchet. “You can’t take a penalty there, and then the PK has to come out and block the shot, play aggressive and we sunk. We let Guenther, one of the best shooters in the league, go and shoot the puck. We unraveled, and we got to put the pieces back.”

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McBain was able to both deliver a great fight for the fans and give his team a much needed boost in the third.

Fighting matters kids!

Source: Utah News