The 1981-82 Utah Jazz season marked the team’s eighth year in the NBA and their third since relocating from New Orleans. The Jazz finished with a 25-57 record, placing them in last position in the Midwest Division. Under head coach Tom Nissalke, the team struggled to find consistency, both offensively and defensively, which contributed to their disappointing performance.
Despite the team’s overall struggles, small forward Adrian Dantley stood out as a bright spot. Dantley had an outstanding season, averaging 30.3 points per game, which made him the leading scorer in the NBA. His scoring prowess earned him a selection to the All-NBA First Team, highlighting his significant individual contribution amidst a challenging season for the team.
The Jazz roster also featured notable players like Darrell Griffith, who provided additional scoring support with an average of 19.8 points per game. However, the team’s defense was a significant issue, as they allowed an average of 114.9 points per game, one of the highest in the league that season. This defensive weakness was a critical factor in their inability to close out games and secure more wins.
Overall, the 1981-82 season was a tough one for the Utah Jazz, with individual successes overshadowed by team struggles. The performance underscored the need for a more balanced roster and improved defensive strategies to compete effectively in the upcoming seasons.
- Regular Season Record: 25-57
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
Utah Jazz Roster and Stats for 1981-82 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Adrian Dantley | 81 | 30.3 | 6.3 | 4.0 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 33.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Darrell Griffith | 80 | 19.8 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 31.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Rickey Green | 81 | 14.8 | 3.0 | 7.8 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Jeff Wilkins | 82 | 9.3 | 7.5 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Danny Schayes | 82 | 7.9 | 5.1 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Carl Nicks | 80 | 7.4 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Ben Poquette | 82 | 6.6 | 5.0 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 30.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Bill Robinzine | 56 | 5.8 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| James Hardy | 82 | 5.1 | 5.7 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| John Duren | 79 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 27.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Howard Wood | 42 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Bobby Cattage | 49 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Sam Worthen | 5 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Utah Jazz 1981-82 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1981-82 season for the Utah Jazz.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 30, 1981 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 105-89 | |
| Oct 31, 1981 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 106-91 | |
| Nov 05, 1981 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 110-101 | |
| Nov 06, 1981 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 119-109 | |
| Nov 07, 1981 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 95-87 | |
| Nov 10, 1981 | @ San Diego Clippers | W 106-97 | |
| Nov 13, 1981 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 131-124 | |
| Nov 14, 1981 | @ Houston Rockets | L 109-105 | |
| Nov 18, 1981 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 113-110 | |
| Nov 20, 1981 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 105-103 | |
| Nov 21, 1981 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 95-86 | |
| Nov 25, 1981 | vs. San Diego Clippers | W 102-100 | |
| Nov 27, 1981 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 103-93 | |
| Nov 28, 1981 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 131-124 | |
| Dec 01, 1981 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 117-86 | |
| Dec 02, 1981 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 114-103 | |
| Dec 04, 1981 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 105-101 | |
| Dec 05, 1981 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 101-99 | |
| Dec 08, 1981 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 128-103 | |
| Dec 09, 1981 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 113-77 | |
| Dec 11, 1981 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 122-102 | |
| Dec 12, 1981 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 111-97 | |
| Dec 15, 1981 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 108-103 | |
| Dec 18, 1981 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 100-95 | |
| Dec 19, 1981 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 115-103 | |
| Dec 23, 1981 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 113-99 | |
| Dec 26, 1981 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 115-104 | |
| Dec 29, 1981 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 121-114 | |
| Dec 30, 1981 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 121-110 | |
| Jan 02, 1982 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 109-107 | |
| Jan 06, 1982 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 130-115 | |
| Jan 08, 1982 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 108-102 | |
| Jan 09, 1982 | @ San Diego Clippers | L 125-118 | |
| Jan 12, 1982 | vs. New York Knicks | L 129-121 | |
| Jan 15, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 115-103 | |
| Jan 16, 1982 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 125-120 | |
| Jan 19, 1982 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 123-117 | |
| Jan 21, 1982 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 123-104 | |
| Jan 22, 1982 | @ Houston Rockets | L 128-110 | |
| Jan 23, 1982 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 122-110 | |
| Jan 26, 1982 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 138-129 | |
| Jan 28, 1982 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 119-101 | |
| Feb 03, 1982 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 122-118 | |
| Feb 05, 1982 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 121-100 | |
| Feb 06, 1982 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 129-103 | |
| Feb 09, 1982 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 123-107 | |
| Feb 10, 1982 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 151-148 | |
| Feb 12, 1982 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 129-114 | |
| Feb 13, 1982 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 120-115 | |
| Feb 15, 1982 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 145-134 | |
| Feb 17, 1982 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 117-109 | |
| Feb 19, 1982 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 132-117 | |
| Feb 20, 1982 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 125-108 | |
| Feb 23, 1982 | @ Washington Bullets | W 113-106 | |
| Feb 24, 1982 | @ Boston Celtics | L 132-90 | |
| Feb 26, 1982 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 98-97 | |
| Mar 02, 1982 | vs. Kansas City Kings | L 125-117 | |
| Mar 03, 1982 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 115-102 | |
| Mar 04, 1982 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 128-124 | |
| Mar 06, 1982 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 127-113 | |
| Mar 09, 1982 | @ New York Knicks | L 126-112 | |
| Mar 11, 1982 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 107-91 | |
| Mar 13, 1982 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 121-115 | |
| Mar 14, 1982 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 129-100 | |
| Mar 16, 1982 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 154-138 | |
| Mar 17, 1982 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 120-112 | |
| Mar 19, 1982 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 131-129 | |
| Mar 21, 1982 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 113-102 | |
| Mar 23, 1982 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 117-115 | |
| Mar 25, 1982 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 107-105 | |
| Mar 27, 1982 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 114-110 | |
| Mar 29, 1982 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 113-102 | |
| Apr 02, 1982 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 127-118 | |
| Apr 03, 1982 | @ San Diego Clippers | W 133-124 | |
| Apr 06, 1982 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 129-114 | |
| Apr 07, 1982 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 123-109 | |
| Apr 09, 1982 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 115-99 | |
| Apr 10, 1982 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 151-136 | |
| Apr 12, 1982 | vs. San Diego Clippers | W 112-107 | |
| Apr 14, 1982 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 128-115 | |
| Apr 16, 1982 | @ Houston Rockets | L 107-100 | |
| Apr 18, 1982 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 128-120 |