Utah Jazz Drop Third Straight In Slow-Burning Loss To Suns In Phoenix

Jan 11, 2025, 5:33 PM

KSL Sports

PHOENIX – The Utah Jazz kept it close with the Phoenix Suns in Footprint Center on Saturday but ultimately came up a bit short in a 114-106 loss.

Phoenix led by as much as 16 in the game and Utah never held a lead. However, they cut the deficit down to one point in the third and looked poised to turn things around at multiple points throughout the game.

Lauri Markkanen led the way for Utah with 24 points. Collin Sexton and Walker Kessler were the next highest scorers with 20 and 16 respectively.

The Jazz will return to Delta Center for a two-game homestand to host the Nets and the Hornets.

Jazz Can’t Overcome Suns Offensive Firepower In Road Loss

Pregame

en route: pic.twitter.com/lpQo8vIxWe

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2025

on site:

(and found a familiar face on the way 🫶) https://t.co/AjFCa5nawd pic.twitter.com/1WTbWnAzEA

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2025

Jazz Injury Report:

*OUT – Johnny Juzang (right hand fracture)

*OUT – Brice Sensabaugh (return to competition reconditioning)

OUT – Jordan Clarkson (left plantar fasciitis)

OUT – John Collins (left hip injury management)

OUT – Keyonte George (left heel inflammation)

OUT -…

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2025

Micah joins the first five 🪄#StartingLineup presented by @ZionsBank pic.twitter.com/gP8AfY8sur

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2025

First Quarter

The @Utahjazz are 1-7 from the floor to open the game.

Lauri Markkanen has the only Jazz basket as they trail the @suns 8-2 with 8:35 left in the first quarter. #TakeNote

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 11, 2025

It always feels like Lauri Markkanen needs to mentally time his blocked shots, then jump a half-second earlier than he thinks.

He challenges a lot of shots but gets bizarrely few blocks for an uber-athletic seven-footer.

I don’t think it’s effort, I think it’s timing.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 11, 2025

🤠 stekcub sdrawkcab 🤠 pic.twitter.com/p9ichGOrPB

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2025

take it away, rook 🎤#TakeNote | @Kylefilipowski pic.twitter.com/ctRxuYiKGQ

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2025

well when your high school coach is in the crowd,,, 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/JOY6JvJRbn

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2025

Cody off to a ☀️hot☀️ start pic.twitter.com/AZ7CLOdmox

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2025

Some good early moments from the @utahjazz
rookies.

Flip has created two transition baskets with active hands on the perimeter, and Cody Williams showing some crafty footwork to get to his mid-range J.

Both of those guys did a lot of this stuff in college.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 11, 2025

After one the @utahjazz trail the @suns 31-27.

Clunky start, but the Jazz got a nice spark from the second unit to keep this game close. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/8fGmgMWcuM

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 11, 2025

Second Quarter

🇺🇦 @sviat_10‘s got an early 9 points 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/3CgKii5oua

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2025

Elijah Harkless making his NBA debut right now for the @utahjazz.

Always cool to see guys make their dreams come true.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 11, 2025

With 8:44 left in the half the @utahjazz trail the @suns 41-34.

Svi Mykhailiuk leads the Jazz with 9 points off the bench. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/Y47JCfUpa2

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 11, 2025

emphasis on the ‘big jam’ 💥#TakeNote | @bigjam_23 pic.twitter.com/LcXz3jJH38

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2025

bucket by @collinsexton02
color commentary by @jordanclarksons pic.twitter.com/QX9MCNKUwc

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2025

not a fadeaway but in a way a fadeaway 😌 pic.twitter.com/hWRTqhpA6u

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2025

At the half the @utahjazz trail the @suns 65-54.

Jazz shoot just 21 percent from three in the opening 24 minutes. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/on6CEBxdAd

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 11, 2025

got some work to do. pic.twitter.com/pnN8N6bBVf

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2025

Third Quarter

quick hands, fast break, rookie bucket 💜#TakeNote | @isaiahcollier04 pic.twitter.com/uAg8lqsjoi

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2025

throwin’ lobs from scottsdale 🗺️#TakeNote | @markkanenlauri pic.twitter.com/ddCZbBGhIs

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2025

The @utahjazz trimmed the @suns lead to as few as one, but Phoenix rallied for a quick six points and own a 75-68 lead with seven minutes left in the third.

Collin Sexton has given the Jazz a boost in the second half. #TakeNote https://t.co/jeSSVXdg7d

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 11, 2025

Through three the @utahjazz trail the @suns 87-79.

Another single-digit game for the Jazz heading into the fourth. #takenote pic.twitter.com/hsCFFUYw9v

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 11, 2025

That might have been the best quarter of Cody Williams career so far.

A lot of simple read-and-react decisions offensively, and good use of his length on defense.

He’s gotten a lot better.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 11, 2025

Saturday afternoon buckle up! pic.twitter.com/5PrUlYdDKw

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2025

Fourth Quarter

big ✌️ from drew pic.twitter.com/2sDpjW2zou

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2025

🚨 Cody’s got 11 🚨 pic.twitter.com/iuhxUlxM7P

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 12, 2025

Jazz fans are going to have a lot of fun watching Taylor Hendricks and Cody Williams play together with their length and skill for several years to come.

Gotta have size in the NBA, and you find it in the lottery.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 11, 2025

Good learning moment from Elijah Harkless, you can’t let NBA shooters like Grayson Allen have any space.

You have to be up and over the screen if the scouting report requires it.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 12, 2025

Will Hardy challenged an out-of-bounds call against the Jazz.

Unsuccessful challenge, and it turned into a foul for Kessler and two free throws for Beal.

Tough lol.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 12, 2025