Lauri Markkanen led the Utah Jazz with 29 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in their 132-123 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Collin Sexton was a standout player with 27 points, helping the Jazz to their eighth home win in a row and their fifth consecutive win overall. Jordan Clarkson added 21 points. John Collins and Keyonte George each put up 19 points, with Collins also grabbing 13 rebounds.
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) shoots against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory
The Jazz have really turned things around this season. They’ve gone from winning only seven of their first 23 games to now being over .500. This is their first time achieving a five-game winning streak under coach Will Hardy.
Markkanen said, “It took some time, but we’ve found our groove in how we play offense and defense, and it’s showing in our games.”
The Lakers, playing without LeBron James due to an injury, saw Anthony Davis get a triple-double. But the Jazz came back strong after the first quarter. They were fast, scoring 27 points on quick breaks and 23 off turnovers.
In the third quarter, Utah really took charge with a powerful 15-3 run. Markkanen and Kris Dunn hit important 3-pointers during this run, putting Utah ahead 85-79.
The Lakers closed the gap to three points with a shot from Hachimura with 8:59 left. But that’s as close as they got. Utah extended their lead, reaching 120-109 with an alley-oop dunk by Sexton after a steal, with just over four minutes left.
Utah was strong in free throws, especially in the fourth quarter, making 17 of 19 shots. Overall, they hit 36 of 39 free throws. Markkanen and Sexton each made 10 free throws out of 21 tries between them.
The Jazz and Lakers together tried 63 free throws in the game.
Without James, the Lakers still started well. Reaves and Russell scored the team’s first 19 points together. Each scored 12 points in the first quarter, which ended with Russell’s 3-pointer, giving the Lakers a 39-31 lead.
This game showed the Jazz’s resilience and ability to control the game, especially in the later quarters. Their performance at the free-throw line was impressive, and their fast-paced style of play was a key factor in their win. The Lakers, even without James, put up a strong fight, but the Jazz’s comeback and consistent scoring were too much for them. This match was a great example of teamwork and determination leading to success on the court.
