The Utah Jazz and New Years Day Do Not Get Along

Tomorrow the Utah Jazz start a three game road trip in New York City as they take on Jalen Brunson and the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Multiple storylines will dominate the headlines of this contest such as “can the Jazz manage to lose 5 straight for the first time since *checks notes* 4 weeks ago?”

Or how about “Can the Jazz turn the ball over less than 15 times?”

Whatever tantalizing tidbit has you interested in this game, understand that the New York Knicks are the second hottest team in the sport with an 8 game win streak intact.

This is not likely to inspire confidence among Jazz fans all within itself.

Now let’s add a little mystique to the scenario.

The game takes place on New Years day, a day in which the Jazz have historically struggled.

In today’s subject of stats you could care less about, I am here to inform you that the Utah Jazz are 3-6 on the first day of a new year.

Only 9 games in a 46 year stay in Salt Lake City (sorry not counting New Orleans for this stat, Utah only club today) shows the Jazz haven’t rung in the new year often with a game and when they have it has been devoid of fireworks.

The first time Utah played on New Years day was back in 1981 when they hit the road in Houston, suffering a 117-103 loss in H-town.

The last time was, well last year, when they drubbed the Dallas Mavericks to the tune of 127-90 in front of the hometown faithful.

That was the game where Jordan Clarkson broke the triple double curse of 2008 by putting up 20 points, 10 rebounds and dishing out 11 assists.

As fun as that was, Utah has never in franchise history won consecutive New Years day games, but they have had a losing streak as long as 4 straight games on the holiday.

Can Utah make franchise history by cooling down the upstart Knicks?

We certainly hope not, but we would appreciate a competitive game like the last handful have been.

If history repeats itself tomorrow, then it must be in favor of Cooper Flagg to Utah.

Tip off is at 5:30 Mountain time.