The Utah Jazz secured a 120-118 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Salt Lake City, with Lauri Markkanen scoring 35 points and Jordan Clarkson hitting a game-winning 3-pointer in the final 30 seconds.
Paul George led the Clippers with 36 points, including a perfect 15-for-15 from the free-throw line. He gave the Clippers a one-point lead with two free throws and 41.2 seconds remaining. However, Clarkson responded with a clutch 3-pointer to give the Jazz their first win of the season.
Despite shooting 53.2 percent from the field, the Clippers suffered their 11th consecutive regular-season loss in Utah. Kawhi Leonard finished with 25 points and nine rebounds.
Markkanen had an impressive performance, scoring 35 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. John Collins, a newcomer to the Jazz, contributed 13 points and 12 boards, marking his second consecutive double-double of the season. Kelly Olynyk also made an impact off the bench with 15 points, including two crucial 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.
Utah’s defensive intensity helped them regain an 89-83 lead by the end of the third quarter, despite George’s 15 points in that period. The Clippers made a comeback with consecutive 3-pointers from Norman Powell and Leonard, followed by a Nicolas Batum dunk. They took their first lead of the game, 104-101, thanks to another Batum trey.
However, the Jazz fought back and regained the lead, 111-109, after Olynyk hit back-to-back 3-pointers with 3:45 remaining. Markkanen then tipped in a go-ahead basket after grabbing two offensive rebounds, giving Utah the lead once again.
The game continued to go back and forth, with George hitting his foul shots to give the Clippers a 118-117 lead with 41.2 seconds left on the clock.
In the second quarter, the Jazz went on a 17-6 run, fueled by consecutive 3-pointers from Talen Horton-Tucker, Markkanen, and George, extending their lead to 50-36.
Overall, it was an exciting and closely contested game, with the Jazz ultimately coming out on top.
–Field Level Media
