SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 Sports) - This was not how the Utah Jazz season was supposed to start.

Expected to be one of the worst teams in the NBA, the Jazz came out and crushed the veteran-laden L.A. Clippers in the season opener Wednesday night at the Delta Center, 129-108.

Walker Kessler had 22 points and nine rebounds, while Lauri Markkanen scored 20 as the Jazz dished out 38 assists in the romp.

"A heck of a team win," said Jazz head coach Will Hardy. "I thought our group was really connected on both sides of the ball, and the guys competed from the very beginning of the game."

Brice Sensabaugh added 20 points off the bench for Utah, which set a team record for points in a season opener.

Kessler, the longest-tenured member of the Jazz, went 7 for 7 from the field. He blocked four shots

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