Jazz Fall Short to Suns in 2OT, 140-137

In an early season thriller, the Utah Jazz were defeated by the Phoenix Suns 140-137 in double overtime. This back-and-forth affair displayed the depth of the Jazz.

However, future first-ballot Hall-of-Famer Kevin Durant refused to allow his team to taste defeat. The game's final play resulted in a challenge after Durant blocked a shot attempt by Jazz All-Star Lauri Markkanen. The challenge decision lasted over five live minutes, and the referees decided Durant blocked Markkanen's shot before contact.

Outstanding performances were plentiful from multiple players on both teams, but the Suns unleashed the star of stars in Durant, and the Jazz dropped the two-game home stand against the Suns.

The Jazz were granted one of the best performances in franchise history from Markkanen, who received an extended handshake and props from Durant after the final buzzer. He scored 38 points, grabbed 17 rebounds, snatched two steals, and posted two blocked shots while shooting 56% from the field. He also logged a game-high 50 minutes.

Five total Jazzmen scored in double-digits, including Markkanen. Talen Horton-Tucker with 25 points, Jordan Clarkson pitched in 22 points, Collin Sexton tallied 18 points, and John Collins delivered a solid stat line of 15 points and 12 rebounds. A side note is that Markkanen recorded his fifth double-double game of the season.

Six Suns scored in double-figures, but it was indeed the Durant show. He dropped 39 points on 52% shooting from the field, handed out a team-high 10 assists, grabbed eight boards, rejected two shots, and managed two steals. He also logged a team-high 46 minutes.

Although this was a heartbreaking loss for Utah, Coach Will Hardy and his team are proving they can compete with any team in the league every night.

The Jazz now sport a record of 4-8 and are currently 12th in the Western Conference. The Suns are 6-6 and now occupy the 8th seed.

The Jazz will face the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday at 8:00 pm in LA. Jazz Nation will be delighted to know this game will be nationally televised!

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