2002–03 Utah Jazz season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Utah Jazz 2003 47 35 Midwest 4 7 Jerry Sloan Kevin O'Connor Larry H. Miller Delta Center KJZZ-TV Fox Sports Net Utah KFNZ / KBEE First round(lost to Kings 1–4) UTA The 2002–03 Utah Jazz season was the 29th season for the Utah Jazz in the National Basketball Association, and their 24th season in Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Jazz Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/ August 10, 2026 Season summary Off-season During the off-season, the Jazz signed free agents Matt Harpring, Evans Rich Jazz Will Acquire Forward Harpring Deseret News August 15, 2002 https://www.deseret.com/2002/8/15/19671974/jazz-will-acquire-forward-harpring October 27, 2022 Harpring Signs with Jazz United Press International August 16, 2002 https://www.upi.com/Archives/2002/08/16/Harpring-signs-with-Jazz/4161029470400/ June 11, 2022 Calbert Cheaney, Buckley Tim Utah Jazz Season Preview 2002-03 Deseret News October 28, 2002 https://www.deseret.com/2002/10/28/19685492/utah-jazz-season-preview-2002-03 October 25, 2022 Brown Tim Lakers, Shaw Have a Deal Los Angeles Times July 26, 2002 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-jul-26-sp-lakers26-story.html October 27, 2022 Mark Jackson and Tony Massenburg. Mark Jackson Signs with Jazz United Press International October 2, 2002 https://www.upi.com/Archives/2002/10/02/Mark-Jackson-signs-with-Jazz/3561033531200/ June 12, 2022 Western Conference: Team-by-Team Preview The New York Times October 28, 2002 https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/28/sports/basketball/teambyteam-preview-2002102890660337665.html July 16, 2022 Regular season With the addition of Harpring, Cheaney and Jackson, the Jazz struggled losing seven of their first ten games of the regular season, but then posted a six-game winning streak afterwards, and later on held a 29–20 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 6, 2003 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=6&year=2003 September 13, 2022 The team posted another six-game winning streak in March, but lost five of their final seven games of the season. The Jazz finished in third place in the Midwest Division with a 47–35 record, and earned the seventh seed in the Western Conference; 2002–03 Utah Jazz Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/2003_games.html January 13, 2022 the team qualified for the NBA playoffs for the 20th consecutive year. Karl Malone averaged 20.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game, while Harpring averaged 17.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, second-year forward Andrei Kirilenko provided the team with 12.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 2.2 blocks per game off the bench, and John Stockton provided with 10.8 points, 7.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game. In addition, Cheaney contributed 8.6 points per game, while Scott Padgett averaged 5.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, and second-year center Jarron Collins contributed 5.5 points per game, but only played just 22 games due to injury. Meanwhile, Greg Ostertag provided with 5.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, Jackson contributed 4.7 points and 4.6 assists per game, and Massenburg averaged 4.7 points per game. 2002–03 Utah Jazz Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/2003.html June 13, 2022 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, Kirilenko was selected for the NBA Rookie Challenge Game, as a member of the Sophomores team. Basketball The Madison Courier February 8, 2003 A8 https://books.google.com/books?id=KbpJAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA5&dq=2003+NBA+All-Star+Rosters&article_id=6980,3744966&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjUp7Pcs6-SAxUnmIkEHXTXEisQ6AF6BAgHEAM#v=onepage&q=2003%20NBA%20All-Star%20Rosters&f=false January 28, 2026 2003 NBA Rising Stars: Sophomores 132, Rookies 112 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2003_rookie.html January 28, 2026 Harpring finished in second place in Most Improved Player voting, behind Gilbert Arenas of the Golden State Warriors, while Kirilenko finished tied in 14th place; 2002–03 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_2003.html February 1, 2026 Kirilenko also finished in third place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, and head coach Jerry Sloan finished in third place in Coach of the Year voting. The Jazz finished seventh in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 786,034 at the Delta Center during the regular season. 2002–03 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2003.html February 3, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Western Conference First Round of the 2003 NBA playoffs, and for the second consecutive year, the Jazz faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Pacific Division champion Sacramento Kings, who were led by the trio of All-Star forward Chris Webber, All-Star forward Peja Stojaković, and Mike Bibby. The Jazz lost the first two games to the Kings on the road at the ARCO Arena II, but managed to win Game 3 at home, 107–104 at the Delta Center. However, the Jazz lost the next two games, which included a Game 5 loss to the Kings at the ARCO Arena II, 111–91, thus losing the series in five games. Associated Press Kings Get Rid of All That Jazz Los Angeles Times May 1, 2003 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-01-sp-nba1-story.html June 11, 2022 Wise Mike Embraces, But No Fanfare, for Jazz's Stockton The New York Times May 2, 2003 https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/02/sports/basketball/embraces-but-no-fanfare-for-jazzs-stockton.html?mcubz=0 August 24, 2017 2003 NBA Western Conference First Round: Jazz vs. Kings Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2003-nba-western-conference-first-round-jazz-vs-kings.html February 1, 2026 Aftermath This season also marked the end of the Stockton and Malone era; Stockton and Malone were both given a long standing ovation after Game 4 of the first-round series against the Kings at the Delta Center, and another one after Game 5 at the ARCO Arena II, as Stockton retired ending his nineteen-year NBA career with the Jazz. John Stockton Tribute Is June 7 Deseret News May 19, 2003 https://www.deseret.com/2003/5/19/19723290/john-stockton-tribute-is-june-7 July 14, 2022 Following the season, Malone signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers after eighteen seasons with the Jazz, Popper Steve Pro Basketball: Malone Agrees to Play for Lakers, Taking a $17.7 Million Cut in Pay The New York Times July 11, 2003 https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/11/sports/pro-basketball-malone-agrees-to-play-for-lakers-taking-a-17.7-million-cut-in-pay.html?mcubz=0 August 24, 2017 Brown Tim They've Got Mailman Los Angeles Times July 11, 2003 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-11-sp-malone11-story.html November 27, 2022 Hamilton Linda Bye Bye: Malone, Fans Bid Each Other Farewell Deseret News August 9, 2003 https://www.deseret.com/2003/8/9/19740551/bye-bye-malone-fans-bid-each-other-farewell July 14, 2022 while Cheaney signed with the Golden State Warriors, Ortiz Jorge L. Warriors About to Add Swingman Cheaney SFGate August 25, 2003 https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Warriors-about-to-add-swingman-Cheaney-2593597.php October 27, 2022 Associated Press Bird Fires Thomas as Coach of Pacers Los Angeles Times August 28, 2003 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-aug-28-sp-nbarep28-story.html October 27, 2022 and Jackson and Massenburg were both released to free agency. The Jazz would not return to the NBA playoffs again until the 2006–07 season, as the team's postseason streak would come to an end in the following season with a 42–40 record, which was above .500 in winning percentage, but the team failed to qualify for the playoffs. Draft picks 2002 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 19 Ryan Humphrey PF United States Notre Dame 2 46 Jamal Sampson C United States California Roster Utah Jazz 2002–03 #4D1A7F #FFFFFF #0A7E8C #FFFFFF 26 John Amaechi F/C 6 10 270 1970–11–26 Penn State 30 Carlos Arroyo G 6 2 200 1979–07–30 Florida International 22 Curtis Borchardt C 7 0 240 1980–09–13 Stanford yes IN 40 Calbert Cheaney G/F 6 7 209 1971–07–17 Indiana 31 Jarron Collins C 6 11 230 1978–12–02 Stanford yes 15 Matt Harpring F/G 6 7 230 1976–05–31 Georgia Tech 13 Mark Jackson basketball G 6 1 180 1965–04–01 St. John's 47 Andrei Kirilenko F 6 9 220 1981–02–18 Russia 24 Raül López basketball PG 6 0 185 1980–04–15 Spain yes IN 32 Karl Malone F 6 9 256 1963–07–24 Louisiana Tech 44 Tony Massenburg F/C 6 9 220 1967–07–31 Maryland 00 Greg Ostertag C 7 2 280 1973–03–06 Kansas 34 Scott Padgett F 6 9 240 1976–04–19 Kentucky 2 DeShawn Stevenson G/F 6 5 218 1981–04–03 Washington Union HS (CA) 12 John Stockton G 6 1 175 1962–03–26 Gonzaga Jerry Sloan Gordon Chiesa David Fredman Phil Johnson Kenny Natt Mark McKown (player development) https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/2003.html Preseason Game log Utah Jazz yes 2003 Utah Jazz Pre-season yes 1 1 3 3 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 1 | October 6 | @ Seattle | 89 – 82 | | | | KeyArena9,264 | 1–0 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | October 8 | @ Portland | 93 – 80 | | | | Rose Garden Arena13,672 | 1–1 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | October 10 | @ Sacramento | 102 – 92 | | | | ARCO Arena11,280 | 1–2 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | October 15 | NY Knicks | 89 – 83 | | | | Delta Center14,921 | 1–3 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | October 18 | @ Cleveland | 95 – 91 | | | | Gund Arena5,114 | 1–4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 6 | October 19 | @ Philadelphia | 107 – 99 | | | | First Union Center17,178 | 2–4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 7 | October 22 | @ NY Knicks | 94 – 89 | | | | Madison Square Garden14,000 | 3–4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 8 | October 24 | Toronto | 89 – 82 | | | | Delta Center14,133 | 4–4 |- uta 2003 Regular season Season standings UTA UTA Game log Playoffs Utah Jazz 2003 yes #4D1A7F #5DADEC Utah Jazz First round yes no yes #008290 #FFFFFF 1 1 0 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 19 | @ Sacramento | L 90–96 | Karl Malone (25) | Greg Ostertag (11) | Karl Malone (8) | ARCO Arena17,317 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 21 | @ Sacramento | L 95–108 | Andrei Kirilenko (17) | Matt Harpring (8) | Mark Jackson (4) | ARCO Arena17,317 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | April 26 | Sacramento | W 107–104 | Greg Ostertag (22) | Greg Ostertag (12) | John Stockton (7) | Delta Center19,911 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | April 28 | Sacramento | L 82–99 | Karl Malone (24) | Greg Ostertag (14) | John Stockton (7) | Delta Center19,911 | 1–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | April 30 | @ Sacramento | L 91–111 | Harpring, Padgett (16) | Scott Padgett (6) | John Stockton (7) | ARCO Arena17,317 | 1–4 |- UTA 2003 yes Player statistics Season Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPGJohn Amaechi 50 1 9.5 .314 .481 1.5 .4 .3 .1 2.0Carlos Arroyo 44 0 6.5 .459 .429 .818 .6 1.2 .3 .0 2.8Calbert Cheaney 81 74 29.0 .499 .400 .580 3.5 2.0 .8 .2 8.6Jarron Collins 22 7 19.1 .442 .000 .710 2.7 .6 .2 .3 5.5Matt Harpring 78 69 32.8 .511 .413 .792 6.6 1.7 .9 .2 17.6Mark Jackson 82 0 17.9 .398 .284 .763 2.1 4.6 .6 .0 4.7Andrei Kirilenko 80 11 27.7 .491 .325 .800 5.3 1.7 1.5 2.2 12.0Karl Malone 81 81 36.2 .462 .214 .763 7.8 4.7 1.7 .4 20.6Tony Massenburg 58 1 13.7 .448 .774 2.7 .3 .3 .3 4.7Greg Ostertag 81 74 23.8 .518 .510 6.2 .7 .2 1.8 5.4Scott Padgett 82 2 16.1 .402 .338 .757 3.3 1.0 .5 .3 5.7DeShawn Stevenson 61 8 12.5 .401 .333 .691 1.4 .7 .4 .1 4.6John Stockton 82 82 27.7 .483 .363 .826 2.5 7.7 1.7 .2 10.8 Playoffs Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPGJohn Amaechi 2 0 8.0 .250 .500 .5 .0 .0 .0 2.0Carlos Arroyo 3 0 9.0 .333 .750 .7 1.7 .0 .0 3.0Calbert Cheaney 5 5 24.4 .370 .500 1.4 1.6 .4 .2 4.4Matt Harpring 5 5 31.2 .484 .143 .813 5.4 1.0 1.0 .2 14.8Mark Jackson 5 0 16.6 .500 .556 1.000 1.0 3.2 .6 .0 7.2Andrei Kirilenko 5 0 29.0 .419 .143 .875 4.8 1.4 .6 2.0 11.6Karl Malone 5 5 38.2 .405 .000 .732 6.8 4.0 1.6 .4 19.6Tony Massenburg 5 0 14.0 .476 .556 4.2 .4 .0 .8 5.0Greg Ostertag 5 5 30.2 .444 .737 8.6 1.6 .6 1.8 9.2Scott Padgett 4 0 13.3 .421 .286 .500 2.3 1.0 .8 .0 4.8DeShawn Stevenson 4 0 9.3 .400 .000 1.000 1.8 1.0 .3 .0 4.5John Stockton 5 5 29.8 .462 .000 1.000 3.2 5.2 1.6 .2 11.2 Player statistics citation: Transactions Overview Players Added Via draft Via trade Via free agency Calbert Cheaney Matt Harpring Mark Jackson Tony MassenburgPlayers Lost Via trade Via free agency John Crotty Rusty LaRue Bryon Russell Player Transactions Citation:2002–03 Utah Jazz Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/2003_transactions.html January 13, 2022 References Category:Utah Jazz seasons Utah Utah Utah