SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Lauri Markkanen hit three free throws with 4.6 seconds left in time beyond regulation to give Utah the lead and completed with 43 factors and 10 rebounds because the Jazz beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-119 on Thursday evening.
Markkanen scored 18 factors within the fourth quarter, serving to the Jazz rally from a nine-point deficit early within the interval. Walker Kessler tipped in a layup with 4.6 seconds remaining to pressure time beyond regulation.
Fresh off enjoying in his first All-Star Game on the Jazz’s house flooring, Markkanen is evolving right into a crunch-time chief for Utah.
“Yeah, I’m more confident,” Markkanen mentioned. “My mindset going into games is go make a difference and be a finisher.”
Jordan Clarkson added 24 factors and 6 assists for Utah. Kessler had 18 rebounds and 7 blocked photographs, Kelly Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji chipped in 12 factors apiece, and Kris Dunn added 11 in his Jazz debut.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 39 factors and missed a possible game-winning jumper on the time beyond regulation buzzer for the Thunder. He additionally had eight rebounds and 7 assists. Josh Giddey added 18 factors and 11 rebounds, Kenrich Williams had 16 factors off the bench, and Lu Dort contributed 11 factors and 11 boards.
Oklahoma City by no means trailed after halftime till the closing seconds of time beyond regulation.
“We haven’t been a 48-minute team in every single game this season,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault mentioned. “But when we’re not, I think our guys have a good recognition that the car is off the road and we get it back on the road quickly.”
Utah performed with out start line guard Collin Sexton, who has a left hamstring damage. Talen Horton-Tucker made his second begin of the season.
The Thunder compelled 22 turnovers and scored 20 factors off them.
Markkanen tied the sport on a layup with 1:26 remaining. Oklahoma City once more jumped out to a lead in time beyond regulation and maintained its benefit till Markkanen was fouled on a 3-point try within the closing seconds and made his free throws.
“He’s played with a tremendous amount of aggressiveness,” Jazz coach Will Hardy mentioned. “His physicality has gone up as the season has gone on.”
Oklahoma City ended the primary half on a 9-0 run to take a 55-46 halftime lead. Jaylin Williams began the run with a 3-pointer and Kenrich Williams completed it off with a reverse layup.
Clarkson scored or assisted on Utah’s first six baskets within the second half and reduce the deficit to 68-66 on a fadeaway jumper. The Thunder stopped the rally and constructed their solely double-digit lead, going up 84-74 when Giddey drove for a reverse layup to cap a 10-3 run.
“I thought our team showed a lot of resolve,” Hardy mentioned. “We were, it felt like, down six to eight points for the majority of the game and just kept hanging around, kept battling.”
TIP-INS
Thunder: Gilgeous-Alexander went 15 of 19 from the free-throw line. … Oklahoma City missed all eight of its 3-point makes an attempt within the first quarter. Isaiah Joe made the Thunder’s first 3 a minute into the second.
Jazz: Rudy Gay performed three scoreless minutes earlier than leaving with a nasal fracture with 56.1 seconds remaining in first quarter. … Kessler tried and made his first profession 3-pointer on the sport’s first play.
UP NEXT
Thunder: At Phoenix on Friday.
Jazz: Host San Antonio on Saturday.
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