The Utah Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks have played some exciting games this season. Both teams are still building their rosters for the future, but that does not mean the games are boring. In fact, these matchups have given fans big scoring nights, close finishes, and even a few history making moments. In this article, we will look at the recent games between these two teams, share the key player stats, and explain what these numbers mean. We will also answer some common questions people have about this matchup.
If you are a basketball fan who wants a simple and clear breakdown of the Jazz vs Mavericks series, this guide is for you.
A Quick Look at the Season Series
This season, the Jazz and the Mavericks met four times in January 2026. It was a busy stretch for both teams, with games happening within just a few days of each other. Here is a simple summary of the results:
- January 8, 2026: Utah Jazz won 116-114 at home
- January 15, 2026: Dallas Mavericks won 144-122 in Dallas
- January 17, 2026: Dallas Mavericks won 138-120 in Dallas
After these games, the season series between the two teams ended up split. Both teams got their wins, which made the head to head record close and interesting for fans on both sides.
Now let’s break down each game and look at the top player stats.
Game 1: Utah Jazz Win 116-114 (January 8, 2026)
This was a thrilling game played at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. The Jazz were coming off a five game losing streak, and they badly needed a win. They got it, but it was not easy.
Key Stats from This Game
Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz) Markkanen was the best player on the floor that night. He scored a game high 33 points and also grabbed 7 rebounds. He hit big shots late in the fourth quarter, including three baskets in a row that helped Utah take the lead. His strong performance was the main reason the Jazz were able to win.
Keyonte George (Utah Jazz) George also played a big role. Together with Brice Sensabaugh, he helped Utah score 33 combined points on efficient shooting. George was calm in the final minutes and made smart plays when the Jazz needed them most.
Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks) On the Dallas side, rookie Cooper Flagg led all scorers for his team with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Even though the Mavericks lost, Flagg showed why he is seen as one of the most talented young players in the league.
The Jazz used a strong start in the first quarter to build an early lead. They scored 24 of their 34 first quarter points in the paint, which means they attacked the basket instead of relying only on outside shots. Cody Williams also helped with three dunks in that stretch. Dallas fought back in the third quarter and even took a short lead, but Utah closed the game strong, scoring on seven of their final nine possessions to hold on for the win.
Game 2: Dallas Mavericks Win 144-122 (January 15, 2026)
One week later, the two teams met again, but this time in Dallas. This game turned into a blowout for the Mavericks, and it also included a special career moment for veteran guard Klay Thompson.
Key Stats from This Game
Klay Thompson (Dallas Mavericks) Thompson had a season best night, scoring 26 points while matching his season high of six made three pointers. He also added six assists, which was a season high for him in that category too. But the biggest story was not just the points. During the game, Thompson passed Damian Lillard on the all time made three pointers list in NBA history. He tied Lillard’s mark early in the first quarter and then passed him a few minutes later. This moved Thompson into fourth place on that all time list, behind only Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Ray Allen.
Naji Marshall (Dallas Mavericks) Marshall added 22 points to help the Mavericks build a big lead. His scoring, combined with Thompson’s hot shooting, gave Dallas one of its best offensive games of the season.
This game was also notable because the Mavericks were missing their rookie star Cooper Flagg, who had sprained his ankle in a previous game. Despite being short handed, Dallas still managed to put up a season high number of points and three pointers made. The Jazz simply could not keep up with the Mavericks shooting that night, and Dallas cruised to an easy win, 144-122.
Game 3: Dallas Mavericks Win 138-120 (January 17, 2026)
Just two days later, the two teams played again in Dallas. This was the fourth and final meeting of the regular season between the Jazz and Mavericks, and once again, Dallas came out on top.
Key Stats from This Game
Klay Thompson (Dallas Mavericks) Thompson kept his hot streak going. He scored all 23 of his points in the first half alone, which is a great sign of how well he was shooting early in the game. During this stretch, he also reached the 17,000 point mark for his career, which is another big milestone.
Brandon Williams (Dallas Mavericks) Williams added 22 points off the bench, showing that Dallas had good scoring depth in this game, not just from their starters.
Max Christie (Dallas Mavericks) Christie also chipped in with 22 points, making it three Mavericks players who scored 20 or more points in the same game. This was the first time all season that Dallas had three players hit that mark in one outing.
Brice Sensabaugh (Utah Jazz) For Utah, Sensabaugh led the way with 27 points, but it was not enough to keep up with Dallas.
The Mavericks led for almost the entire game and had a lead of 23 points at one stage. Dallas also did a great job moving the ball, finishing with 35 assists, which tied their season high. They also protected the ball well, turning it over just 11 times compared to Utah’s 15 turnovers. Those extra turnovers gave Dallas easy scoring chances, including 30 points off the fast break.
It is worth noting that both teams were missing several key players in this game. The Jazz did not have Jusuf Nurkic, who was resting, and Lauri Markkanen, who was sick. Dallas was also missing several rotation players, including P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, and D’Angelo Russell. Even with so many players out, Dallas still found a way to dominate the game.
What These Stats Tell Us About Both Teams
Looking at these three games together, we can learn a few things about how each team plays.
The Mavericks have strong depth on the wings. Players like Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, Max Christie, and Brandon Williams have all stepped up when needed. Even without their top players like Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis, Dallas has shown they can still score in bunches.
The Jazz rely heavily on Lauri Markkanen. When Markkanen plays well, like in the January 8 game, Utah has a real chance to win. But when he is out or not at his best, the team struggles to keep up on the scoreboard, which we saw in the two Dallas wins later in January.
Turnovers make a big difference. In the January 17 game, Utah’s extra turnovers led directly to easy Dallas baskets. This shows how small mistakes can turn into big point differences in the NBA.
Klay Thompson has found new life with the Mavericks. His performances against the Jazz in January were some of his best of the season. Passing Damian Lillard on the all time three pointers list was a special moment, and it happened right in the middle of this Jazz vs Mavericks series.
Full Team Records After the Series
By the end of these three games, here is how each team’s record looked:
- Dallas Mavericks: Improved to 16-26 after their two wins in the series
- Utah Jazz: Fell to 14-27 after losing two of the three meetings
Neither team was fighting for a high playoff spot this season, but that did not stop the games from being competitive and fun to watch. Fans on both sides got to see strong individual performances, close finishes, and a bit of NBA history with Klay Thompson’s milestone.
Final Thoughts
The Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks series in January 2026 gave fans a lot to talk about. From Lauri Markkanen’s big scoring night to Klay Thompson passing Damian Lillard on the all time three pointers list, there was something new to see in each game. Cooper Flagg also showed flashes of his talent early in the series before his ankle injury kept him out of later matchups.
If you are following either team for the rest of the season, keep an eye on how these young rosters continue to grow. Both teams have talented players who could be even better in the years ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the season series between the Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks?
The two teams split their meetings in January 2026. The Jazz won the first game 116-114, while the Mavericks won the next two games, 144-122 and 138-120.
Who had the best individual performance in the Jazz vs Mavericks games?
Lauri Markkanen had the best single game performance for Utah with 33 points in the January 8 win. For Dallas, Klay Thompson stood out across two games, scoring 26 points on January 15 and 23 points in the first half alone on January 17.
What milestone did Klay Thompson reach during this series?
During the January 15 game, Klay Thompson passed Damian Lillard for fourth place on the NBA’s all time made three pointers list. A few days later, on January 17, he also reached 17,000 career points.
