Jazz vs. Kings preview: 2023-24 season opener

The Utah Jazz' 2023-24 season will begin at home against the Sacramento Kings in a return to the newly renamed Delta Center. The Jazz are in another transitional season, trying to rebuild after trading away their stars. Last year, Utah jumped out to an early 10-3 start before coming down to earth. They finished the season 37-45, good for 12th in the Western Conference. Conversely, the Kings have built a competitive and exciting team around All-Stars DeAaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. They reached the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. Their 48-34 record placed them 3rd in the West. After losing in the first round, they'll be hungry to return and prove they belong in the playoffs.

Game info

When: October 25th, 2023. 7:00 PM (MT)

Where: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT

TV/Streaming: Jazz+, KJZZ

Radio: KSL 1160 AM & 102.7 FM

Betting line via Draftkings.com: Kings -1.5, O/U 239

Uniforms: Classic edition

What to watch for

DeAaron Fox vs...?

Fox is a tough matchup for any player in the league. He's an elite athlete with incredible quickness and an uncanny ability to break down a defense. In three games against the Jazz last season, Fox averaged 32.7 points and 7.7 assists. Nobody could stop him. The Jazz are still unclear on who their starting guard lineup will be, although Talen Horton-Tucker did start every preseason game at point guard. Who will Coach Hardy start and give the assignment of defending Fox? Kris Dunn would be the best suited as a proven elite point-of-attack defender, but it's unclear where he stands in Utah's rotation. Hardy's decision here could have a significant impact on the game.

Utah John Collins

Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

This will be John Collins' first regular season game with the Jazz. During preseason, there has been evidence of a clunky fit alongside some of Utah's frontcourt players. Then again, that's just preseason. Utah's coaching staff will have to find a way to include Collins in Utah's game plan and allow him to play to his strengths. This will be Jazz fans' first look at how they plan to do that.