Jazz Edge Pistons in Close Contest: George’s Late Game Heroics
Salt Lake City, UT – The Utah Jazz narrowly defeated the Detroit Pistons 131-129 on Friday night, December 26, 2025, thanks to a clutch floater from Keyonte George with just 2.1 seconds remaining. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for the Jazz.
Game Summary
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading leads throughout. Keyonte George led the Jazz with 31 points, while Cade Cunningham paced the Pistons with 29 points. The Jazz shot 49% from the field and 47% from three-point range, compared to the Pistons’ 52% field goal percentage and 49% from beyond the arc. Utah’s free throw shooting proved crucial, converting 15 of 23 attempts (65%), while Detroit was nearly perfect at 25 of 26 (96%).
Key Performances
- Keyonte George (Utah Jazz): 31 points, including the game-winning shot. He shot 12 of 22 from the field and 2 of 2 from the free throw line.
- Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons): 29 points, shooting 10 of 19 from the field and 6 of 9 from the free throw line.
- Tobias Harris (Detroit Pistons): Contributed with 7 rebounds, 2 offensive and 5 defensive.
- Jusuf Nurkic (Utah Jazz): Grabbed 11 rebounds, with 7 defensive and 4 offensive.
Fourth Quarter Drama
The final quarter was particularly intense. Cunningham’s scoring kept the Pistons competitive, but George’s late-game heroics ultimately sealed the win for Utah. The Jazz held a slim lead in the closing seconds, and George’s shot proved to be the decisive moment.
Team Statistics
| Statistic | Detroit Pistons | Utah Jazz |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal Percentage | 52% (48-92) | 49% (44-90) |
| Three-Point Percentage | 49% (18-37) | 47% (18-38) |
| Free Throw Percentage | 96% (25-26) | 65% (15-23) |
| Turnovers | 17 | 18 |
| Rebounds | 41 | 42 |
Looking Ahead
The Utah Jazz will look to build on this momentum as they continue their season. The Detroit Pistons will aim to bounce back from this close defeat in their upcoming games.