Kevin Durant exploded for 39 points as the National Basketball Association (NBA) Phoenix Suns defeated the Utah Jazz in double overtime.
Phoenix defeated the Utah Jazz 140-137 in double overtime in a 2023-2024 NBA regular-season road game at the 스포츠토토 Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Tuesday (Feb. 20).
The two teams put on a three-point show throughout the game, combining for 33 three-pointers with Phoenix hitting 18 and Utah 15.
Durant finished with 39 points, including four 3-pointers, 10 assists, and eight rebounds to lead Phoenix to its third straight win. Devin Booker poured in 22 points in the second half, and Eric Gordon chipped in with 20 points, including five 3-pointers.
Utah was led by Lauri Markkanen’s 38 points and 17 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough for the win.
Phoenix and Utah started the game in a back-and-forth fashion in the first quarter. The teams ended the first quarter tied at 30-30, with Phoenix taking a five-point lead into the second.
Utah fought back to close to within one point, 84-85, in the third quarter.
The two teams traded 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, totaling 10 each, and piled up points at a frightening pace.
With just over six minutes left in the fourth quarter, Utah pushed its lead to eight points on back-to-back 3-pointers by Makanen and Collin Sexton and a pair of free throws by Talon Horton-Tucker. But Phoenix, sparked by Durant’s uncharacteristic four-assist show, crawled back into the game on a Gordon 3-pointer with 2:47 left.
Utah tied it again with a John Collins three with 1:22 left, and Makanen’s layup crashed the rim again with 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter. However, Phoenix Booker’s rebounded three-pointer at the buzzer clanged off the rim, sending the game to overtime.
In the first overtime, Durant’s three-pointer rimmed out to make it 126-121 with 37 seconds left in regulation, but Utah answered with an under-the-basket buzzer-beater from Sexton to send the game to a second overtime.
Phoenix regained the lead at the start of the second overtime, led by Durant, who scored eight straight points, before a Grayson Allen three-pointer and two Booker free throws sealed the game as a three-point victory.