Despite the underwhelming record, the Jazz were led by standout shooting guard Pete Maravich, who had a stellar individual season. Maravich averaged 31.1 points per game, leading the league in scoring and earning a spot on the All-NBA First Team. His exceptional performances were a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season for the team.
Coach Tom Nissalke, who had been hired to guide the new franchise, faced numerous challenges, including building team chemistry and integrating new players. The roster was a mix of veterans and young talent, but the team struggled with consistency and defensive play, contributing to their losing record.
The Jazz’s inaugural season laid the groundwork for future development, providing valuable experience for both players and management. While the team did not achieve immediate success, the foundation was set for future growth and eventual relocation to Utah in 1979, where the franchise would find greater stability and success in the years to come.
- Regular Season Record: 35-47
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
Utah Jazz Roster and Stats for 1976-77 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Pete Maravich | 73 | 31.1 | 5.1 | 5.3 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Gail Goodrich | 27 | 12.6 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Nate Williams | 79 | 12.3 | 3.9 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Aaron James | 52 | 10.9 | 3.7 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Jim McElroy | 73 | 10.6 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Freddie Boyd | 47 | 9.9 | 1.9 | 3.1 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Ron Behagen | 60 | 8.6 | 7.2 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| E.C. Coleman | 77 | 8.6 | 7.1 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Rich Kelley | 76 | 6.9 | 7.7 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Bud Stallworth | 40 | 6.7 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Otto Moore | 81 | 5.9 | 7.8 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Mo Howard | 23 | 5.7 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Paul Griffin | 81 | 5.2 | 6.1 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Andy Walker | 40 | 4.5 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Utah Jazz 1976-77 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1976-77 season for the Utah Jazz.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 22, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 111-98 | |
| Oct 26, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 111-101 | |
| Oct 29, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 111-93 | |
| Oct 30, 1976 | @ New York Knicks | W 115-112 | |
| Oct 31, 1976 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 106-92 | |
| Nov 02, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 115-97 | |
| Nov 05, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 127-119 | |
| Nov 07, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 115-107 | |
| Nov 09, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 110-99 | |
| Nov 10, 1976 | @ Washington Bullets | L 116-103 | |
| Nov 12, 1976 | @ Boston Celtics | L 117-110 | |
| Nov 13, 1976 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 115-86 | |
| Nov 16, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 100-98 | |
| Nov 17, 1976 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 118-95 | |
| Nov 19, 1976 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 100-95 | |
| Nov 21, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 97-92 | |
| Nov 23, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 117-94 | |
| Nov 25, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 105-99 | |
| Nov 28, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 127-118 | |
| Dec 01, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 126-105 | |
| Dec 03, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 121-105 | |
| Dec 04, 1976 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 107-99 | |
| Dec 05, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 117-105 | |
| Dec 07, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 110-98 | |
| Dec 10, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 92-78 | |
| Dec 11, 1976 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 121-106 | |
| Dec 14, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 120-117 | |
| Dec 15, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 115-105 | |
| Dec 17, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 113-109 | |
| Dec 18, 1976 | @ Houston Rockets | W 110-106 | |
| Dec 19, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 125-110 | |
| Dec 21, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 123-113 | |
| Dec 22, 1976 | @ New York Nets | L 127-93 | |
| Dec 26, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 109-100 | |
| Dec 30, 1976 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 104-97 | |
| Jan 02, 1977 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 93-88 | |
| Jan 07, 1977 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 130-118 | |
| Jan 08, 1977 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 114-107 | |
| Jan 09, 1977 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 92-76 | |
| Jan 12, 1977 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 110-99 | |
| Jan 14, 1977 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 131-103 | |
| Jan 16, 1977 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 97-76 | |
| Jan 18, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 99-89 | |
| Jan 22, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 118-100 | |
| Jan 23, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 111-102 | |
| Jan 26, 1977 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 101-95 | |
| Jan 28, 1977 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 108-96 | |
| Jan 29, 1977 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 118-102 | |
| Jan 30, 1977 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 101-99 | |
| Feb 02, 1977 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 120-95 | |
| Feb 03, 1977 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 105-99 | |
| Feb 06, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 99-90 | |
| Feb 09, 1977 | @ New York Nets | L 93-89 | |
| Feb 11, 1977 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 110-92 | |
| Feb 15, 1977 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 117-106 | |
| Feb 20, 1977 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 129-109 | |
| Feb 22, 1977 | @ New York Knicks | L 119-102 | |
| Feb 23, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 106-96 | |
| Feb 25, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 124-107 | |
| Feb 27, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 135-118 | |
| Mar 01, 1977 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 126-104 | |
| Mar 04, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 95-91 | |
| Mar 05, 1977 | @ Washington Bullets | L 117-105 | |
| Mar 06, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 110-106 | |
| Mar 08, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 96-91 | |
| Mar 12, 1977 | @ Houston Rockets | L 120-104 | |
| Mar 15, 1977 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 131-104 | |
| Mar 18, 1977 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 104-100 | |
| Mar 20, 1977 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 100-95 | |
| Mar 22, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 106-95 | |
| Mar 23, 1977 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 95-89 | |
| Mar 24, 1977 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 92-87 | |
| Mar 25, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 100-94 | |
| Mar 27, 1977 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 119-118 | |
| Mar 29, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 94-85 | |
| Mar 30, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 112-100 | |
| Apr 01, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 115-106 | |
| Apr 03, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 101-82 | |
| Apr 05, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 119-109 | |
| Apr 06, 1977 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 107-102 | |
| Apr 08, 1977 | @ Boston Celtics | L 120-109 | |
| Apr 10, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 139-125 |