Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (wearing purple) dribbles around Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) dribbles around Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig (0) during an NBA game at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Sarah Todd

By Sarah Todd

Sarah Todd covers the NBA and Utah Jazz for the Deseret News.

The Utah Jazz beat the Phoenix Suns, 134-133, on Friday night at Vivint Arena in a game that went down to the wire.

Despite 49 points from Devin Booker, in a game that came down to the final possession, the Jazz held on to improve to 11-6 on the season.

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Here are three things that contributed to the Jazz’s victory:

  • Lauri Markkanen was unbelievable. After a couple of nights where he seemed a little off, Markkanen bounced back in a big way with a career-high 38 points to go with six rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
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Utah Jazz guard Malik Beasley (5) reacts as the Jazz take possession during an NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The Jazz won 134-133. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) shoots over Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric (20) during an NBA game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) and Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) fight for the ball during an NBA game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The Jazz won 134-133. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Jarred Vanderbilt (8) reaches for the rebound behind Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric (20) and Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) during an NBA game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio (16) dribbles past Phoenix Suns forward Josh Okogie (2) during an NBA game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The Jazz won 134-133. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) moves past Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15) during an NBA game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The Jazz won 134-133. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) and Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) react as the Utah Jazz win an NBA game against the Phoenix Suns 134-133 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Phoenix Suns forward Josh Okogie (2) and Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) reach for the rebound during an NBA game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The Jazz won 134-133. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) looks to make a shot as Phoenix Suns center Jock Landale (11) and Phoenix Suns forwards Josh Okogie (2) and Dario Saric (20) guard him during an NBA game at the Vivint Smart Home  Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The Jazz won 134-133. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Talen Horton-Tucker (0) shoots in front of Phoenix Suns forward Josh Okogie (2) during an NBA game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio (16) shoots in front of Phoenix Suns forward Josh Okogie (2) during an NBA game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The Jazz won 134-133. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) smiles during an NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) dribbles around Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig (0) during an NBA game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) falls after shooting in front of Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) during an NBA game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. A foul was called on Bridges. The Jazz won 134-133. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) reaches for a jump ball during an NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The Jazz won 134-133. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (11) reacts as the Jazz take possession during an NBA game agains the Phoenix Suns at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The Jazz won 134-133. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy watches the Utah Jazz play the Phoenix Suns in an NBA game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The Jazz won 134-133. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) reacts as the Jazz maintain a lead in an NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The Jazz won 134-133. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) tries to keep the ball away from Phoenix Suns guards Cameron Payne (15) and Devin Booker (1) during an NBA game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The Jazz won 134-133. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
  • As a team the Jazz shot the lights out against the Suns, going 16-of-31 (51.6%) on the night, including Malik Beasley hitting 7-of-13 on his own.
  • The Jazz’s bench outscored the Suns bench 53-21. In addition to Beasley’s 27 points off the bench, the Jazz also got 13 points from Collin Sexton.
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