Keyonte George makes his return to the Utah Jazz lineup
Sarah Todd covers the NBA and the Jazz for the Deseret News.
There’s a mix of encouraging news and sobering realities for Utah Jazz fans.
The positive update: Keyonte George came back to action on Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans, marking his first appearance since February 7.
The less uplifting note: we’re reaching a part of the season where two-way players are stepping into starting roles.
So, Jazz supporters are navigating a somewhat split situation as the regular season drags on with 22 games remaining.
Keyonte George's journey has been bumpy. He began February with a sprained left ankle, returned on February 7 only to aggravate the issue with a sprained right ankle after just 13 minutes of court time.
“I’ll be honest, there was a bit of frustration,” George admitted. “I love this game, this locker room, and everyone on staff. They feel like family to me, so when I can’t give everything I know I can, it’s tough. On game days, I didn’t know what to do with myself.”
Usually, George spends his downtime studying basketball—reviewing Jazz tape and watching other NBA teams—but watching games without being able to contribute began to wear on him. Instead of spiraling, he turned to a different escape, devouring the TV show Scandal, with a nod to Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington’s character).
In Saturday’s game, George logged 23 minutes, scoring 17 points and dishing four assists in the Jazz’s 115–105 defeat to the Pelicans. His minutes will likely stay capped somewhere near 20–24, according to Jazz head coach Will Hardy, though George himself reports feeling great with no soreness on his return.
The end-of-roster roster picture
Even with George back, the starting five looked a bit unconventional: Ace Bailey, Kyle Filipowski, Cody Williams, and two-way standout Blake Hinson joined the lineup, with Elijah Harkless contributing 28 minutes off the bench.
This setup reflects the season’s reality, but it also carries a silver lining: extended opportunities for two-way players in NBA games don’t come often. The Thunder’s development of Lu Dort on a similar path is a notable precedent for turning a two-way stint into a major impact player on a championship run.
“They’re gradually shaping their NBA identities,” Hardy observed about the two-way players. “EJ is a bit further along than Blake, largely due to opportunity, and his role is becoming clearer.” Hardy added that Blake’s spacing on offense has been a plus, and his off-the-catch shooting has become a threat.
Looking ahead, these late-season appearances can influence who earns more extended playing time under standard contracts, who might be converted from two-way deals, and who isn’t a strategic fit for the roster moving forward.
What do you think about teams leaning more on two-way players down the stretch? Is it a smart long-term strategy for building depth, or does it risk disrupting development for regular rotation players? Share your thoughts in the comments.
