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Cavs score, recap vs Jazz. Cavaliers game updates, highlights, stats
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- Cavs score, recap vs Jazz. Cavaliers game updates, highlights, stats
CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers blew a chance to end the first half of the 2025-26 season with a bit of momentum, falling 123-112 to the Utah Jazz on Jan. 12.
A win would have given the Cavs a record of 6-2 in their past eight games and a record of 6-1 in their past seven games at Rocket Arena . Instead, the Cavs were upset by the Jazz as the season's midpoint arrived.
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During the 41st game of an 82-game regular season, the Cavs welcomed back a franchise legend, Jazz forward Kevin Love . The two teams have other connections, too, primarily because of Cleveland acquiring All-NBA guard Donovan Mitchell from Utah in a blockbuster trade in 2022.
The Jazz ended the reunion with the last laugh. Here is how Cavs (22-19) versus Jazz (14-25) unfolded:
Cavs lose to Jazz 123-112
Guards Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 23 and 21 points, respectively. Forward Evan Mobley posted a double-double with 15 points and a team-high nine rebounds, though Cleveland lost the rebounding battle 50-30.
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Guard Keyonte George and former Cavs forward Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 32 and 28 points, respectively. Markkanen added 12 rebounds, and center Jusuf Nurkic finished with a game-high 17 rebounds to go along with 11 points.
Jazz forward and Cavs legend Kevin Love scored 11 points off the bench.
Cavs desperately need a late comeback because Jazz lead 116-106 with 3:16 left in the fourth quarter
The Cavs will need a dramatic comeback to avoid being upset. The Jazz led 116-106 with 3:16 left in the fourth quarter.
The Cavs led by eight points at halftime, but the Jazz have controlled the second half thus far.
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Cavs forward Evan Mobley drove for a dunk with 3:27 remaining, sending the Jazz into a timeout with a 116-106 cushion and 3:16 left.
Jan 12, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) drives to the basket against Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) during the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Cavs trail Jazz 110-102 with 5:26 left in the fourth quarter
The Cavs trailed the Jazz 110-102 with 5:26 left in the fourth quarter.
The Cavs have trailed by as many as 11 points in the fourth quarter, but they trimmed their deficit to 108-102 when point guard Darius Garland drained a 3-pointer with 5:44 remaining.
However, the Jazz's dominance on the glass surfaced on the next possession. Center Jusuf Nurkic's putback gave Utah a 110-102 lead with 5:26 left.
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Cavs trail Jazz entering fourth quarter
Former Cavs forward Kevin Love drilled a 3 in the final minute, and the Jazz will take a 90-86 lead into the fourth quarter over the Cavs.
Utah is shooting 51 percent from the floor and 50 percent from 3-point range. The Cavs are at 47 and 43 percent, respectively.
Cavs, Jazz score: Cleveland, Utah in 1-point game late in third quarter
The Cavs trail the Jazz, 87-86, with a little more than two minutes left in the third quarter.
Nae'Qwan Tomlin has had a productive night, scoring 13 points off the bench on 6-for-8 shooting to go with three assists. His athleticism has provided a nice boost, and he's seeing some extended minutes.
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Cavs, Jazz tied in third quarter
Utah has opened the third quarter on a 16-8 run, which has this one tied 70-70 three minutes into the second half.
That Jazz run was capped by Lauri Markkanen, who isn't letting the Cavs forget that they traded him with back-to-back 3s, now giving him a game-high 22 points.
Darius Garland hits 3 at the buzzer, Cavs lead Jazz at half
The second quarter has been arguably the Cavs' biggest problem all season, but that wasn't the case tonight, as Cleveland out-scored Utah 40-20 in the second quarter to take a 62-54 lead into halftime.
Darius Garland buried a 3 at the first-half buzzer to cap a 26-8 run to end the first half. He has 12 points (4-for-8), six assists and three steals thus far.
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Donovan Mitchell has a team-high 14 points, also on 4-for-8 shooting from the floor.
Former Cavs forward Lauri Markkanen has a game-high 16 points and seven rebounds at the half.
Donovan Mitchell leads Cavs on run to open second quarter
The Cavs have trimmed the Jazz lead to 41-34 with 9:08 left in the second quarter, largely thanks to Donovan Mitchell's eight points in a three-minute span, including two 3s.
Between Mitchell and Nae'Qwan Tomlin (2-for-3), the Cavs hit four of their first five attempts in the quarter.
Jan 12, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) passes as Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) defends during the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Cavs trail Jazz 34-22 at the end of the first quarter
For the Cavs, a 34-22 deficit at the end of the first quarter could have been a lot worse.
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The Cavs came out flat against the Jazz and trailed by as many as 17 points in the opening quarter.
The Cavs finished the first quarter 9-of-25 shooting from the floor (3 of 11 on 3-pointers) compared with the Jazz going 10-of-22 shooting from the field (6 of 12 on 3-pointers). The Jazz outrebounded the Cavs 18-7 in the opening quarter.
Former Cavs forward Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with six points in the first quarter. Guards Donovan Mitchell and Craig Porter Jr. paced the Cavs with five points apiece.
Cavs show life with 8-0 run vs. Jazz
After falling behind 23-6 to start the game, the Cavs went on an 8-0 against the Jazz and trailed 23-14 with 3:14 left in the first quarter.
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A layup by guard Craig Porter Jr., a 3-pointer by guard Darius Garland and a three-point play by wing Jaylon Tyson accounted for the eight points.
Jan 12, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) drives to the basket against Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic (30) during the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Cavs taking beating from Jazz in the first quarter, falling behind 21-4 with 5:19 left
Well, the Cavs will need a big comeback to defeat the Jazz.
The Cavs trailed the Jazz 21-4 with 5:19 left in the first quarter.
Cleveland started the game 2-of-13 shooting from the field (0 of 7 on 3-pointers). Utah began the game 7-of-15 shooting from the floor (3 of 6 on 3s).
The early results in the rebounding battle also stood out. The Jazz held a 14-3 advantage at this juncture.
Jan 12, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket against Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Cavs trail Jazz 12-2 with 7:36 left in the first quarter
The Cavs trailed the Jazz 12-2 with 7:36 left in the first quarter. Cleveland came out of the gate flat on offense, going 1-of-9 shooting from the field (0 of 4 on 3-pointers) to begin the game.
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The Jazz extended their lead to 12-2 when forward Cody Williams made a 3-pointer with 7:38 left in the opening quarter, sending the Cavs into a timeout.
Below is some pregame information.
Cavs injury report vs. Jazz
The Cavs ruled out forward Dean Wade (left knee contusion), small forward Max Strus (offseason left foot surgery), forward Chris Livingston (two-way contract) and forward Luke Travers (two-way contract).
Cavaliers column: Cavs report sighting of the Evan Mobley they need on offense | Opinion
Jan 10, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates after hitting a three point basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Jazz injury report vs. Cavaliers
The Jazz ruled out former Cavs forward Georges Niang (left foot), center Walker Kessler (left shoulder injury recovery), guard John Tonje (two-way contract), forward Oscar Tshiebwe (two-way contract) and guard Elijah Harkless (two-way contract).
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The Jazz listed guard Ace Bailey (left hip flexor strain) and center Jusuf Nurkic (toe) as available to face the Cavs.
Cavs news: Darius Garland returning to all-star form as Cavaliers pick up momentum
Cavs starters vs. Utah Jazz
The Cavs announced they will start the following players against the Jazz:
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Point guard Darius Garland
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Guard Donovan Mitchell
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Guard Sam Merrill
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Forward Evan Mobley
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Center Jarrett Allen
Utah Jazz starters vs. Cleveland Cavs
The Jazz will start the following players against the Cavs:
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Guard Keyonte George
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Forward Cody Williams
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Forward Lauri Markkanen
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Forward Svi Mykhailiuk
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Center Jusuf Nurkic
How can I watch tonight's Cavs game vs. Utah Jazz? Cleveland Cavaliers TV and radio info
The local TV broadcast of the Cavs-Jazz game on Jan. 12 can be viewed via FanDuel Sports Network — Ohio. The radio broadcast can be heard locally via WTAM (1100-AM) or WMMS (100.7-FM).
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The Beacon Journal sports department can be contacted via email at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavs score, recap vs Jazz game updates, highlights, stats
