SALT LAKE CITY — The Phoenix Suns celebrated a successful return to the court, overcoming the Utah Jazz 134-126 on Friday night, led by Devin Booker’s impressive 34-point performance and Kevin Durant’s notable 30 points in his comeback.
Both Durant and Booker not only excelled in scoring but also facilitated plays, each recording eight assists—important contributions that helped the Suns break a three-game losing streak. Tyus Jones also played a significant role, finishing the game with 19 points and 11 assists.
Durant’s return marked the end of a three-game absence due to a left ankle sprain, while Suns center Jusuf Nurkic rejoined the squad after missing five games because of a combination of a left ankle sprain and a right thigh contusion.
For the Jazz, Jordan Clarkson made his comeback following a seven-game layoff due to plantar fasciitis. Clarkson led his team with 23 points, while John Collins contributed 22 points and Lauri Markkanen added 19 points.
The second half began with the Suns scoring six consecutive baskets, three of which came from Booker, establishing a 92-80 lead. However, the Jazz responded vigorously, going on a 15-4 run and narrowing the score to 99-97 with a running alley-oop layup from Walker Kessler.
The Suns answered back with a 9-2 run, capped by Ryan Dunn’s finger roll layup, pushing their lead to 108-99. Throughout the fourth quarter, Utah struggled to get closer than four points behind Phoenix.
Takeaways from the match indicated that Durant and Booker were particularly effective, combining for 21 baskets and 16 assists. Meanwhile, the Jazz showcased their strong shooting abilities, hitting 22 three-pointers and achieving a remarkable 56% success rate from beyond the arc.
A pivotal moment in the game came when Clarkson scored three consecutive baskets, helping Utah secure points on their first six possessions of the second quarter and pull ahead 53-44. Phoenix responded with a 12-0 run led by Booker’s consecutive three-pointers, which flipped the game in their favor as they went on to lead 63-58—never trailing again.
In total, both teams combined to make 44 three-pointers throughout the exciting matchup. Looking ahead, the Suns will face the Portland Trail Blazers at home on Sunday, while the Jazz will travel to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.