Jazz Defeat Lakers in Nail-Biter

Rookie Gordon Hayward's clutch free throw seals Utah's win over Los Angeles.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:44pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the final moments of a close basketball game, with fragmented players, basketballs, and court lines overlapping in a dynamic, abstract composition.The Jazz's narrow victory over the Lakers showcases the intense, high-stakes drama of the NBA playoff race.Los Angeles Today

In a close game, the Utah Jazz defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 86-85 behind a career-high 22 points from rookie Gordon Hayward, including the game-winning free throw with just six seconds remaining. Paul Millsap also scored 22 points for the Jazz, who snapped their losing streak with the victory.

Why it matters

This was a crucial win for the Jazz, who had been struggling and were looking to turn their season around. The Lakers, on the other hand, missed an opportunity to gain ground in the playoff race with the close loss.

The details

With the game tied at 85-85 in the final seconds, Hayward was fouled and stepped to the line for two free throws. He calmly sank the first to give the Jazz the lead, and after missing the second, the Lakers were unable to convert on their final possession, sealing the victory for Utah.

  • The game was played on April 9, 2026.

The players

Gordon Hayward

A rookie forward for the Utah Jazz who scored a career-high 22 points, including the game-winning free throw.

Paul Millsap

A veteran forward for the Utah Jazz who also scored 22 points in the victory.

Los Angeles Lakers

The opposing team, who were unable to convert on their final possession to tie or win the game.

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What they’re saying

“This was a huge win for us. We've been struggling, and to come in here and get a victory against a tough Lakers team is really important for our confidence moving forward.”

— Gordon Hayward, Jazz Forward

What’s next

The Jazz will look to build on this win as they continue their playoff push, while the Lakers will try to rebound in their next game.

The takeaway

This close victory shows the Jazz's resilience and ability to win close games, which could be crucial as they fight for a playoff spot. For the Lakers, it's a missed opportunity, but they'll have a chance to get back on track in their next outing.