Devin Booker scored 34 points, leading all players, while Kevin Durant made his return from injury to add 30 points, helping the Phoenix Suns win 134-126 against the Utah Jazz on Friday in Salt Lake City.
Tyus Jones contributed 19 points and 11 assists, and Royce O’Neale, a former Jazz player, added 17 points. This win helped the Suns break a three-game losing streak on the final game of their four-game road trip.
Jordan Clarkson led Utah with 23 points, while John Collins scored 22 points, grabbed six rebounds, and had six assists. Lauri Markkanen finished with 19 points, and Keyonte George posted 18 points, nine assists, and six rebounds. However, the Jazz lost their seventh game in their last eight.
Utah struggled despite making 22 out of 39 three-pointers (56.4%) and shooting 55.8% from the field. Phoenix matched Utah’s 22 three-pointers, shooting 45 attempts and making 52.8% of their field goals.
Durant returned after missing three games due to an ankle injury, and the Suns have had a tough time without him this season, with only one win in 10 games. Jusuf Nurkic also came back after missing five games with an ankle sprain and thigh injury. He contributed 12 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks.
Phoenix had a 12-point lead in the third quarter, but Utah responded with a 15-5 run, narrowing the gap to just two. The Suns went into the final quarter with a 112-105 lead and kept the Jazz from getting closer than four points in the last 12 minutes.
Durant, who made all 12 of his free throws, extended the Suns’ lead to 126-119 with 3:08 left. In the closing minutes, Booker and O’Neale hit key three-pointers to secure the win.
The Jazz led 39-38 after a fast-paced first quarter. The Suns scored 38 points in the second quarter, taking a 76-71 lead at halftime. Booker and Durant combined for 41 points in the first half, with both players finishing with eight assists.
