The Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix hosts the final warmup game of the 2026-27 NBA preseason (the exhibition phase ahead of the North American basketball league’s regular calendar) between the Phoenix Suns and the Utah Jazz on Friday, October 16, 2026. Tipoff is scheduled for 11 p.m. Brasília time (7 p.m. local time in Arizona). Viewers in Brazil can watch the live broadcast exclusively through the NBA League Pass streaming platform.
Both Western Conference franchises use this matchup to conclude their exhibition schedules before official competition begins. The home squad enters the court holding a preseason record of one win and three losses, coming off a 123-103 defeat against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday (14). Meanwhile, the visiting team from Salt Lake City carries a mark of two victories and one loss in the preparatory phase after beating that same San Antonio Spurs roster 119-109 on Monday (12). In the most recent official game between the two franchises on March 28, 2026, the Arizona team defeated Utah 134-109.
Broadcast details and match schedule for Friday
Fans following the game from Brazil have a single digital subscription option to watch the broadcast live over the internet. Check the complete service details and venue information for the exhibition game below:
- Date: Friday, October 16, 2026
- Time: 11 p.m. Brasília time (7 p.m. local time at the arena)
- Venue: Mortgage Matchup Center, in Phoenix (formerly known as Footprint Center and PHX Arena)
- Competition and stage: NBA — Preseason (preparatory exhibition phase)
- Live broadcast in Brazil: NBA League Pass (streaming service)
- Officiating crew: Not yet announced by the NBA prior to publication
Roster updates and statistical leaders for the Phoenix Suns
Under the direction of head coach Jordan Ott, the Phoenix Suns rested their core players during the previous loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Miles Bridges, Dillon Brooks, Collin Gillespie, and Oso Ighodaro all sat out that midweek contest. During the earlier exhibition outings when the team played at full strength, Ott deployed a starting five composed of Booker, Green, Brooks, Bridges, and Ighodaro. Because Friday represents the final rehearsal before the regular season opener, the coaching staff has not yet confirmed whether the regular starters will take the floor or play under strict minute restrictions.
Across the individual statistics recorded by the Arizona roster during this preseason run, forward Dillon Brooks leads the team in scoring with an average of 16.7 points per game, followed by shooting guard Jalen Green at 13.7 points per outing. On the glass, center Khaman Maluach paces the squad with 7.0 rebounds per contest. Point guard Jamaree Bouyea also secured the 14th spot on the regular season roster after tallying 15 points and 8 assists during the game on Wednesday (14).
The Phoenix medical staff lists two confirmed absences due to injury for the finale. Center Mark Williams remains sidelined after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder in September 2026, while shooting guard Luke Kennard exited the court on Wednesday (14) with left knee soreness and awaits the results of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam. “I don’t know exactly what it is. I just spoke with him briefly. He seemed to be in good spirits. We will see more tomorrow,” Jordan Ott said following Kennard’s departure from the previous game.
Lineup adjustments and injury report for the Utah Jazz
Head coach Will Hardy, now in his fifth season leading the Utah Jazz bench, has structured his starting backcourt throughout the preseason around point guard Keyonte George and rookie shooting guard Darryn Peterson. The team’s active rotation also features power forward Lauri Markkanen and center/power forward Jaren Jackson Jr., alongside Mo Bamba, Jaxson Hayes, Isaiah Collier, Ace Bailey, and Brice Sensabaugh. Like his counterpart, Hardy has not announced the starting five or the expected playing time for his primary athletes in the closing friendly.
Lauri Markkanen currently tops the Utah scoring chart in the exhibition games with an average of 14.0 points per appearance. Darryn Peterson has posted averages of 13.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, while Keyonte George contributes 11.3 points per matchup. “They are really competitive. We have had some of the liveliest practices since I arrived here in terms of competitiveness and willingness to go at each other,” Will Hardy stated regarding his squad’s mentality during camp.
Check out: Philadelphia 76ers host Boston Celtics in NBA preseason finale with full starting lineup
On the injury front, center Jusuf Nurkic is ruled out with a partial plantar plate tear in the second toe of his right foot; on October 7, 2026, the franchise projected a recovery timeline of at least four weeks for the player. Additionally, center Kyle Filipowski, who is recovering from offseason back surgery, and forward Blake Hinson, dealing with a hip and adductor issue, are both listed as questionable for Friday’s contest.
Recent history and regular season openers in October
During the 2025-26 regular season, the Phoenix Suns finished the campaign with 45 wins and 37 losses before suffering elimination in the first round of the playoffs. In that same cycle, the Utah Jazz recorded 22 wins and 60 losses, missing out on the postseason tournament. When the two sides last met in official competition on March 28, 2026, the 134-109 victory by Phoenix featured 31 points from Jalen Green and 26 from Devin Booker, whereas Brice Sensabaugh scored 26 points for the Utah roster.
Both organizations officially tip off the 2026-27 NBA regular season on Wednesday (21). The Phoenix Suns will face the Portland Trail Blazers in their opening game, while the Utah Jazz will take on the Memphis Grizzlies.
