PREVIEW: The Utah Jazz (18-44, 14th in the Western Conference) travel to Washington to face the Wizards (16-45, 13th in the Eastern Conference) on Thursday at 7 p.m. EST after dropping seven consecutive games. All-NBA point guard Trae Young is making his Wizards debut in this matchup , injecting intrigue into what appears to be a battle between two struggling franchises. The Wizards have posted an 11-21 record at home while Utah stands at just 7-23 on the road , setting up a contest where neither team has found consistent success in their respective situations. Both squads are dealing with significant injury concerns that will reshape their rotations and force role adjustments throughout the game. The Jazz currently sit last in the league in defensive rating , a troubling stat that has contributed to their recent skid and offensive struggles despite their strengths in other areas. The Wizards shoot 45.9 percent from the field this season while averaging 12.9 made three-pointers per game, numbers that will face a Jazz defense allowing 48.9 percent shooting and 13.9 three-pointers nightly. Utah leads the Western Conference with 29.6 assists per game , showcasing their ability to move the ball despite their other shortcomings. The pivotal storyline centers on how Trae Young meshes with the current Wizards roster while dealing with a depleted lineup, though his playmaking could elevate players like Bilal Coulibaly.