Lauri Markkanen scored a career-high 51 points, adding 14 rebounds, as the Utah Jazz defeated the Phoenix Suns 138-134 in overtime on Monday at the Delta Center. Markkanen became the first Jazz player to reach 50 in a regular-season game since Karl Malone in 1998.
Keyonte George contributed 26 points and 10 assists, while Walker Kessler had 25 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks to help Utah recover after losing a seven-point lead in the final 19 seconds of regulation.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 34 points, scoring 24 after halftime, and Grayson Allen added 23 points. Phoenix played without Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, though Mark Williams returned from a knee injury to record 25 points and 11 rebounds.
The Jazz held a 122-115 lead with 23 seconds left in regulation, but two late 3-pointers by Booker and a Williams tip-in forced overtime. Markkanen scored seven points in the extra period and sank two free throws with 1.9 seconds remaining to secure the win.
Utah shot 94.4% from the free-throw line, with Markkanen making all 17 attempts. The Jazz, expected to struggle this season, have now won two of three games and narrowly missed an undefeated start with a one-point loss to Sacramento.
Phoenix, suffering their third consecutive loss, was hindered by injuries and a late-game collapse despite strong performances from Booker and Williams. The Suns return home to host Memphis on Wednesday, while Utah hosts Portland.
