Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen goes to the hoop ahead of New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)
Salt Lake City — Lauri Markkanen had 34 points, Collin Sexton had four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and the Utah Jazz ran past the New York Knicks 121-106 on Saturday to snap a four-game skid.
Sexton finished 25 points and John Collins had 20 points and 13 rebounds forthe Jazz.
OG Anunoby scored a season-high 27 points, Jalen Brunson scored 23 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 16 points and 16 rebounds for the Knicks, who shot 39% from the field and lost for the first time in five games.
New York cut the lead to eight in the fourth quarter, but the Jazz responded with 10 consecutive points, capped by Johnny Juzang’s 3-pointer to make it 104-86 with 6:16 remaining.
New York’s Miles McBride sat out with a knee injury.
Takeaways
Knicks: The Knicks are a top team in the league on offense but when the shots aren’t falling, they are hampered by a bottom-10 ranking in most defensive metrics. They were slow on switches and rotations until playing some inspired defense at times in the second half, but it was too late.
Jazz: Rookie Kyle Filipowski was out with a sore ankle, but regular starting center Walker Kessler returned to the lineup and had 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. He was disruptive in the paint, changing shots and forcing difficult passes.
Key moment
In the final minute of the second quarter, the Knicks missed three jumpers while Markkanen made a 3, Kessler had a fast-break layup and Keyonte George hit a floater just before the buzzer to give the Jazz a 66-51 halftime lead.
Key stat
Towns was shooting 50% from 3-point range this season but went 0 for 7 against the Jazz, the first time he hadn’t made a 3 in nine games.
Up next
The Knicks continue their five-game road trip Monday night at Denver. Utah hosts San Antonio on Tuesday night.
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) goes to the hoop between New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, left, and guard Josh Hart during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) dunks over New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson, right, drives against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) blocks a shot from Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)
Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) goes to the hoop between New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)
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