“Jazz host New Zealand Breakers opens pre-season”

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz will open the 2024-25 preseason by hosting the New Zealand Breakers on Friday evening at the Delta Center.

The contest is the first of six preseason games for the Jazz before the season opens on October 23 against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Related: Jazz announce six-game preseason schedule

Jazz youth movement underway

Although Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton and John Collins return from last season's squad, the Jazz's youth movement has been at the forefront of training camp.

Rookies Cody Williams, Isaiah Collier and Kyle Filipowski will all compete to play in the preseason, while sophomores Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks and Brice Sensbaugh are slated for key roles on opening night.

The @utahjazz held their first media session of the 2024-25 season and all signs point to a major youth movement at the Delta Center.

“We just have more young guys in our rotation. It will look different.” #takenote | @kslsportshttps://t.co/3XhJf5j39J

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) September 27, 2024

The Jazz added free agents Drew Eubanks, Patty Mills and Svi Mykhailiuk over the summer, although playing time will likely be limited given the team's focus on youth.

Head coach Will Hardy returns to the Jazz for his third season to oversee the squad.

Breakers face three NBA teams in the preseason

The Jazz are the Breakers' first of three NBA contests during their trip to the States.

After the game against the Jazz, the Breakers will face the Philadelphia 76ers on October 7th and the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 11th.

The @NZBreakers landed before them in Salt Lake City #NBLxNBA Play against them tomorrow @utahjazz 🎶@jogracehealy Attend the training to catch up with the team and chat to some of the new faces taking part in the tour ▶️ pic.twitter.com/Ocroa9DYH9

– NBL (@NBL) October 4, 2024

The New Zealand squad will feature former Jazz Summer League standout Tacko Fall during their three-game NBA run.

The Jazz defeated the Breakers 114-94 last offseason.

Jazz 2024-25 Preseason Schedule

In total, the Jazz will play three home and three away games during their preseason.

October 4: Utah Jazz vs. New Zealand Breakers – 7:00 p.m. MST
October 7: Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets – 7 p.m. MST
October 10: Utah Jazz @ Dallas Mavericks – 6:00 p.m. MST
October 12: Utah Jazz @ San Antonio Spurs – 6:00 p.m. MST
October 15: Utah Jazz vs. Sacramento Kings – 7 p.m. MST
October 18: Utah Jazz @ Portland Trail Blazers – 8:00 p.m. MST

How to watch and stream Jazz and New Zealand Breakers

The Jazz host the Breakers in Salt Lake City on Friday at 7:00 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+ and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. International viewers can watch the game on the NBL+ app, NBL website and NBA League Pass.

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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and co-host of Jake and Ben from 10pm to 12am with Jake Scott 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.

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