SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz secured a hard-fought 117-113 win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night, buoyed by Collin Sexton’s season-high 26 points and Lauri Markkanen’s impactful return. Markkanen added 23 points in his first game back after an eight-game absence due to a strained left hamstring.
Sexton, taking on a more prominent role after teammate Keyonte George left early with a sprained ankle, led the team with a focused approach, balancing scoring and playmaking duties. He emphasized not overthinking his game and giving his all on the court, a mindset that proved fruitful for Utah.
Markkanen’s return was a significant boost for the Jazz. Despite being on a minutes restriction, he managed to score both inside and on the perimeter, finishing 7 for 13 from the field, including four 3-pointers, and grabbing eight rebounds in 25 minutes.
Talen Horton-Tucker also played a pivotal role, scoring 13 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter. His performance was crucial during a decisive 16-0 run that spanned the third and fourth quarters, helping Utah to combat the Knicks’ defense with aggressive offense.
Julius Randle led the Knicks with 32 points and 12 rebounds, marking his third 30-point game in the last four outings. However, his scoring was limited to two free throws in the fourth quarter, as New York’s strategy shifted to him being more of a facilitator.
Jalen Brunson added 23 points for the Knicks, and Donte Divincenzo contributed 20. Despite their efforts, the Knicks have now lost three consecutive road games and face a challenging stretch with four more away games on their current trip. Brunson stressed the importance of defensive hustle and improving their play on that end of the court.
The Jazz, leading by 17 points at one stage, saw the Knicks mount a late rally to narrow the gap to just three points. However, missed 3-point attempts by Josh Hart and Brunson in the closing moments prevented New York from tying the game. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau acknowledged the shooting struggles, as the team finished 9 of 39 from beyond the arc.
Kelly Olynyk, making key contributions with nine points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, secured the rebound and made two free throws to seal the win for Utah. This victory ended a streak of three consecutive losses for the Jazz.
Jazz coach Will Hardy praised his team’s defensive effort, especially in making Brunson work hard for his points and disrupting the Knicks’ rhythm.
Looking ahead, the Knicks will face the Phoenix Suns on Friday night, while the Jazz travel to play the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night.
