Utah brings a 2-1 preseason record and advantages in the supplied scoring, rebounding and assist figures into Friday's matchup, while Phoenix looks to respond after a 123-103 loss to San Antonio.
The Utah Jazz will visit the Phoenix Suns on Friday, October 16, for the final game of Phoenix's 2026 preseason schedule. Tipoff is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Utah enters the contest with a 2-1 preseason record, while Phoenix stands at 1-3 after falling 123-103 to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, October 14.
With the 2026-27 regular season approaching, the matchup offers both teams another opportunity to evaluate their preparations, work on offensive execution and assess their rotations. Preseason results do not determine regular-season standings, but the final exhibition can still provide useful information about how a team handles possessions, creates scoring opportunities and responds to defensive pressure.
Utah Jazz Look to Build on Their Preseason Progress
Utah enters Friday's game at 2-1 in preseason play. The supplied statistics show that the Jazz have averaged 111.3 points, 48 rebounds and 25 assists per game.
The rebounding figure is one of Utah's most notable advantages. The Jazz average 48 rebounds per game, compared with Phoenix's 41. That seven-rebound difference suggests Utah has been more productive on the glass across the games represented by the supplied data.
Rebounding can influence both ends of the floor. Defensive rebounds help teams finish possessions by preventing opponents from getting additional chances, while offensive rebounds can create opportunities to score after missed shots. Utah will look to make that strength count against Phoenix, although the overall averages do not guarantee that the Jazz will control the boards in this particular contest.
Utah also has the advantage in assists, averaging 25 per game compared with Phoenix's 23. That difference provides another potential source of offensive consistency. Effective ball movement can help a team find open shooters, create space and avoid relying exclusively on individual scoring efforts.
The Jazz's scoring average is another positive in the supplied comparison. Utah has averaged 111.3 points per game, four more than Phoenix's 107.3. That difference gives Utah the higher scoring average entering the matchup, but it should not be interpreted as a prediction of the final score.
Preseason games can feature different rotations and playing-time distributions from regular-season contests. Consequently, the teams' previous averages provide context rather than a guarantee of what will happen Friday.
Utah's perimeter shooting could also be important. The Jazz have recorded a 34.3% three-point percentage, ahead of Phoenix's 31.2%. If Utah can create quality opportunities from beyond the arc, it may be able to complement its rebounding advantage with more efficient perimeter scoring.
However, Utah's overall field-goal percentage is 45.8%, slightly below Phoenix's 46.3%. The Jazz therefore do not have an advantage in every shooting category. Their success will depend on shot selection, execution and their ability to convert opportunities against the Suns' defense.
At the free-throw line, the teams are nearly even. Utah has averaged 70.6%, compared with Phoenix's 70.4%. Based on those figures, neither team holds a meaningful advantage in free-throw accuracy.
Phoenix Suns Seek a Strong Finish at Home
Phoenix enters its preseason finale with a 1-3 record after losing 123-103 to San Antonio on October 14. The Suns now have an opportunity to respond in front of their home crowd before the regular season begins.
The supplied statistics show Phoenix averaging 107.3 points, 41 rebounds and 23 assists per game. Although those figures trail Utah's in all three categories, the Suns have recorded several advantages of their own.
Phoenix's 46.3% field-goal percentage is slightly higher than Utah's 45.8%. The Suns also average 49.5 points in the paint, compared with Utah's 44. Interior scoring could therefore be an important component of Phoenix's offensive approach.
Producing points near the basket can help a team maintain its scoring output even when perimeter shots are not falling. Phoenix will need to create productive opportunities inside while avoiding rushed possessions and unnecessary turnovers.
The Suns also have a narrow advantage in second-chance scoring. They average 17.8 second-chance points per game, while Utah averages 16.7. Phoenix's fast-break scoring average is 13 points per game, one more than Utah's 12.
These numbers suggest that the Suns have generated slightly more offense in those categories across the supplied sample. However, the differences are relatively small, and Utah's higher total rebounding average could make second-chance opportunities an important area to monitor.
Phoenix's defensive numbers also offer reasons for optimism. The Suns average 12 steals per game, compared with Utah's 9.3. They have also averaged 4.8 blocks, ahead of the Jazz's 4.3.
Steals can create opportunities for transition offense, while blocks can disrupt attempts near the basket. If Phoenix can maintain its defensive activity without compromising its positioning, it may be able to make Utah work harder for quality shots.
The biggest statistical concern for Phoenix is turnovers. The Suns average 22.8 per game, compared with Utah's 16. That difference could become important because turnovers can eliminate scoring opportunities and sometimes leave a defense poorly positioned to prevent an opponent's transition attack.
Phoenix will need to handle the ball carefully, particularly against a Utah team that has averaged fewer turnovers. Better possession management could help the Suns make greater use of their shooting efficiency, interior scoring and defensive pressure.
Turnovers Could Influence the Game
Possession management is one of the clearest statistical contrasts entering Friday's contest.
Utah's average of 16 turnovers per game is substantially lower than Phoenix's 22.8. While preseason statistics should not be treated as definitive measures of regular-season performance, the difference highlights an area the Jazz may try to exploit.
For Utah, the priority will be maintaining its passing rhythm without giving Phoenix unnecessary opportunities to create turnovers. The Suns' higher steals average suggests that defensive pressure could be a factor, so the Jazz will need to make sound decisions and avoid forcing passes into crowded areas.
Phoenix faces the opposite challenge. Its defensive activity provides a potential way to disrupt Utah's offense, but the Suns must also limit their own mistakes. Creating steals is valuable only if the team can preserve possession and convert the resulting opportunities into productive offense.
The balance between these categories could influence the game's flow. If Utah protects the ball, it may be able to capitalize on its advantages in rebounding and assists. If Phoenix generates turnovers and converts them into points, the Suns could offset some of Utah's statistical advantages.
Because this is a preseason game, the teams' rotations and player availability may also affect the contest. Without confirmed starting lineups and playing-time information, it would be inappropriate to predict which individual matchups will determine the outcome.
Three-Point Shooting Versus Interior Production
The teams also have contrasting offensive profiles.
Utah's 34.3% three-point percentage is higher than Phoenix's 31.2%. The Jazz may look to use perimeter shooting to stretch the defense and create space for their other offensive actions.
Phoenix, meanwhile, has averaged more points in the paint. The Suns' 49.5-point average in that category compares with Utah's 44, giving them an advantage in interior production.
Neither approach guarantees success. Perimeter shooting depends on creating and converting quality attempts, while interior scoring requires effective execution near the basket and the ability to finish against defensive pressure.
Utah's higher rebounding average could help the Jazz control additional possessions, but Phoenix's interior scoring may challenge Utah's defense. The team that executes its preferred offensive approach more consistently could gain an advantage.
The shooting figures also need to be viewed in context. Phoenix has the better overall field-goal percentage, while Utah has the higher three-point percentage. Those statistics describe different aspects of offensive performance and do not independently establish which team has the stronger offense in this specific game.
Players and Lineups to Monitor
The supplied player listing includes Darryn Peterson, Dillon Brooks, Mo Bamba, Khaman Maluach, Isaiah Collier, Jamaree Bouyea, Jaxson Hayes and Ryan Dunn, with numerical figures beside their names. However, the supplied information does not clearly identify the statistical category and reporting period for every number.
For that reason, those figures should not be presented as verified points-per-game averages or used to make unsupported claims about individual performances. The team-level statistics provide a more reliable basis for this preview.
The preseason setting also makes lineup evaluation relevant. Coaches can use exhibition games to assess combinations, review execution and prepare players for the regular season. Nevertheless, the available information does not establish the starting lineups, minutes distribution or availability of every player for Friday's game.
Phoenix's previous contest against San Antonio ended in a 123-103 defeat. The Suns will now have another opportunity to work on their execution before completing their preseason schedule. Utah, meanwhile, will look to finish its exhibition preparations with a productive road performance.
What Utah Must Do to Win
Utah's statistical advantages suggest three priorities: protect the basketball, compete on the glass and maintain its perimeter shooting.
The Jazz's lower turnover average could help them preserve possessions, while their rebounding advantage may create additional opportunities at both ends of the floor. Continuing to move the ball effectively could also help Utah generate better shots rather than relying on difficult individual attempts.
Defensively, the Jazz must be prepared for Phoenix's interior production and transition offense. The Suns' higher averages in points in the paint, fast-break points and second-chance points identify areas where Utah will need to remain disciplined.
Utah does not need to dominate every category to perform well. Consistent execution and fewer wasted possessions could help the Jazz make the most of their existing strengths.
What Phoenix Must Do to Win
Phoenix will look to combine its interior scoring and defensive activity with improved ball security.
The Suns' higher field-goal percentage and points-in-the-paint average give them potential offensive advantages. Their steals and blocks averages also suggest that they have generated more defensive disruptions than Utah in the supplied figures.
However, turnovers remain an important concern. Phoenix must avoid giving away possessions that could otherwise produce scoring opportunities. More disciplined offense would help the Suns capitalize on their strengths while limiting Utah's chances to build momentum.
Playing at Mortgage Matchup Center provides the Suns with their home setting for the final preseason game. The team will still need to execute effectively on the floor, as home court alone cannot determine the result.
