Charlotte Hornets Deliver Historic 150-95 Defeat to Utah Jazz

The Charlotte Hornets secured a historic victory against the Utah Jazz with a staggering 150-95 score on January 10, 2026. This 55-point defeat marked the worst loss in Jazz history since their relocation to Utah in 1979. Before this game, the franchise had never experienced a loss by more than 50 points.

Game Overview

The game unfolded dramatically, as the Jazz fell behind by 31 points after the first quarter. The situation worsened throughout the game, leading to the eventual 55-point margin. Jazz head coach Will Hardy described the performance as a clear representation of everything going wrong for his team.

Historical Context

This loss exceeded the previous record for the Utah Jazz, which stood at 50 points and occurred on two separate occasions. Interestingly, the New Orleans Jazz reported a 56-point loss in their final season before the franchise relocated to Utah.

Poor Performance Metrics

• First half performance: The Jazz narrowly avoided their worst half in franchise history, ending the first half down by 39 points.
• Shooting statistics: The Jazz struggled, achieving only 40% from the field and a mere 22% from three-point range.
• Rebounding issues: The Hornets secured 21 offensive rebounds on their own misses, surpassing the Jazz’s 20 defensive rebounds.
• Cody Williams of the Jazz recorded a devastating plus-minus of -60, the worst in NBA history.

Key Players and Injuries

Several notable players were absent from the Jazz lineup, including star Lauri Markkanen, who was resting, along with Jusuf Nurkic (left MTP sprain) and Ace Bailey (hip flexor strain). Consequently, four of the five starters were 22 years old or younger, highlighting the team’s youth.

Center Kyle Filipowski remarked on the team’s need for greater effort in rebounding, emphasizing the team’s deficiencies compared to their opponents.

Coaching and Team Reactions

Throughout the game, Coach Hardy remained engaged, differentiating himself from critics by standing on the sidelines. His approach aimed to convey solidarity with the team during their difficult performance. CEO Danny Ainge also showed concern, sitting closer to team owner Ryan Smith in the later stages of the game. The locker room atmosphere post-game was subdued, with both veterans and younger players reflecting on the loss.

Moving Forward

• Brice Sensabaugh led the Jazz with 26 points, stressing the importance of unity among the players.
• Kevin Love, another veteran, highlighted the need for team pride and self-assessment to improve moving forward.

As the season progresses, the Jazz now face the challenge of regrouping following this historic defeat against the Charlotte Hornets. It will be crucial for the players to learn from this experience and foster team cohesion as they strive for better outcomes in upcoming games.