Utah Jazz forward/center Lauri Markkanen (23) makes a call against the New York Knicks during the second half of an NBA game at the Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
Lauri Markkanen scored 34 points to help the Utah Jazz snap a four-game losing streak with a 121-106 matinee victory over the visiting New York Knicks in the NBA in Salt Lake City on Saturday afternoon.
OG Anunoby scored 27 points to pace the Knicks, who had won four consecutive games.
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Lauri Markkanen had himself a night.
🔥 34 PTS
🔥 9 REB
🔥 5 3PM pic.twitter.com/RXITQMogD9— NBA (@NBA) November 24, 2024
Markkanen made 11 of 15 field goals, including 5-for-8 from 3-point range, and grabbed nine rebounds as the Jazz opened a five-game homestand with their fourth win.
READ: NBA: Lauri Markkanen agrees to remain with Utah Jazz
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Collin Sexton added 25 points with six 3-pointers, and John Collins totaled 20 points and 13 rebounds. Walker Kessler had 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, while Keyonte George scored 11 with nine assists.
Markkanen sparked a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter with a layup to help Utah reestablish an 18-point lead en route to the win. The Jazz saw a 19-point advantage dwindle to just two earlier in the second half.
Jalen Brunson contributed 23 points and eight assists and Karl-Anthony Towns had 16 points, 16 rebounds and five assists for New York. Josh Hart tallied 17 points, six rebounds and six assists in the loss.
Utah shot 50.6 percent from the field compared to just 39 percent for the Knicks. The Jazz also outrebounded the visitors 65-45.
READ: NBA: Lauri Markkanen a cornerstone of Jazz rebuild
With a one-point lead in the second quarter, Markannen hit a 3-pointer. Sexton followed with a three-point play and Johnny Juzang (12 points) hit a trey to cap a 9-2 run.
The Jazz outscored the Knicks 38-23 in the second quarter to take a 66-51 halftime lead. Markkanen had 19 points in the opening half.
Utah was up by 19 in the third quarter when the Knicks stormed back within two thanks to a 17-0 run.
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That spurt included two free throws by Brunson, 10 points on a pair of dunks and 3s by Anunoby, a Cameron Payne triple and a Jericho Sims slam.
After nearly four minutes of scoreless ball for the Jazz, Markannen snapped his team out of it with four free throws to begin a 7-0 run and push Utah toward the win.