Thunder Overcome Plucky Jazz With Strong Fourth Quarter

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma – The Utah Jazz made it a game but couldn’t overcome the high-flying Oklahoma City Thunder in a 123-114 loss.

The Jazz (10-32) faced the Western Conference-leading Thunder (36-7) on Wednesday, January 22.

back at it on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/mYV84BS5vJ

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 23, 2025

Oklahoma City’s rebuild hit hyper-speed this season, with the team racing to the second-best record in the NBA. The Thunder’s defense is the league’s best, holding opponents to 103.9 points per 100 possessions, more than ten points better than the league average.

OKC forces an astounding 11.4 steals per game, relying on roster depth and pressure defense to get opponents off-kilter.

Markkanen returns from a four-game absence due to low-back spasms. Brice Sensabaugh and Cody Williams are unavailable with ankle injuries.

Pregame

Jazz Injury Report:

*AVAILABLE – John Collins (left hip; injury management)

*AVAILABLE – Lauri Markkanen (low back; spasms)

*OUT – Brice Sensabaugh (right ankle; sprain)

OUT – Jordan Clarkson (left plantar; fasciitis)

OUT – Taylor Hendricks (right fibula; fracture)

OUT -…

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 22, 2025

Cody Williams isn't playing tonight, but that didn't stop the Williams family from supporting him and his brother, Jalen as Utah faces OKC 🥹

They even have the split jerseys ready to go! pic.twitter.com/kblzTQ2APR

— NBA (@NBA) January 23, 2025

some familiar faces back in the lineup 👀#StartingLineup presented by @zionsbank pic.twitter.com/GTh9EmLvlM

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 23, 2025

LISTEN LIVE: @utahjazz continue their road trip against the @okcthunder on the @kslsports app, @KSLSportsZone and:https://t.co/YZQOjLHjB0 pic.twitter.com/xhKGfSqRuH

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 23, 2025

First Half

from one big fella to another 🤝
missed seeing this 🥹 pic.twitter.com/FxfKq1pNKp

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 23, 2025

Key's got the tough buckets 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 🔑🔓 pic.twitter.com/lwDJbwW5KA

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 23, 2025

The @utahjazz are dicing up the @okcthunder offense and own a 22-17 lead eight minutes into the first quarter.

John Collins has nine points in his return to the floor. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/E5w2Q6XNPv

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 23, 2025

The @utahjazz trail the @okcthunder 31-29 after one.

Jazz starters got the team off to a good start, but the second unit struggled with the OKC backcourt. #takenote pic.twitter.com/zq48oKrvcL

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 23, 2025

Second Quarter

rain, sleet, snow or thunder, Drew's going to dunk 🌩️ pic.twitter.com/53D8Bsarid

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 23, 2025

The @utahjazz continue to hang around and trail the @okcthunder 44-42 with 4:15 left in the first half.

Nice start for Keyonte George who has 8 points and four assists. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/Gqrl2H9X4h

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 23, 2025

Fresh of signing a 10-day contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, @UtahMBB alumni Branden Carlson scores against his hometown Jazz.https://t.co/wKOumIF9Je

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 23, 2025

Kess on the cleanup and The Sheriff's flirting with a double-double before halftime 👀 pic.twitter.com/yDOeb3DVpS

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 23, 2025

Keyonte still has obvious work to do defensively, but he makes so many more plays on that end than he used to.

Everything in his game is trending in the right direction.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 23, 2025

At the break the @utahjazz trail the @okcthunder 57-55.

Jazz giving the Thunder a lot more than they expected in this game. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/ov6xbbwsS3

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 23, 2025

Third Quarter

The @utahjazz led by as much as six, but the @okchthunder have laced together a quick 5-0 run to trim the gap to one.

Jazz up 68-67 with 7:44 left in the third.

John Collins is up to 16 points. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/dg4OoNJqi7

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 23, 2025

🎶 that's me in the corner 🎶 – John, probably pic.twitter.com/EWnINgU5Dq

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 23, 2025

from Vaasa to Helsinki with 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 😈🇫🇮 pic.twitter.com/USt44mf0XB

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 23, 2025

Not even four Thunder defenders could stop Lauri Markkanen as he went coast-to-coast, throwing down a rim-rocking dunk.@utahjazz https://t.co/T28lgZXs1Z

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 23, 2025

Through three the @utahjazz trail the @okcthunder 95-89.

Jazz starters continue to keep this game close, but the Thunder have been able to create some distance against the young bench. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/vl25rwdpGD

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 23, 2025

Fourth Quarter

Shai has 41 PTS entering the 4Q 👀

We've got a close one in OKC entering the final quarter on NBA League Pass! pic.twitter.com/o03IykCrnL

— NBA (@NBA) January 23, 2025

Just as it looks like the @okcthunder are ready to pull away the @utahjazz lace together an 8-0 run, and trail 98-97 with 8:45 left to play. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/H7S3n30xJM

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 23, 2025

(•_•)
<)   )╯THAT’S
 /   

  (•_•)
 (   (> JAZZ
  /   

 (•_•)
<)   )╯BASKETBALL
 /    pic.twitter.com/XuxSevQzqf

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 23, 2025

get you someone as reliable as Walker Kessler on the cleanup 🫂 pic.twitter.com/YsoC25gLXd

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 23, 2025

The @Utahjazz fall to the @okcthunder 123-114.

Excellent effort from the Jazz, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's career-high 54 point night proved to be too much. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/LZysvrYW1Y

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 23, 2025

Jazz-Thunder Gameday Reading

• Markkanen, Collins Return As Jazz Face Thunder

• Why Did Jazz Trade Three First Round Picks For One Suns Pick?

• Utah Jazz Mailbag: What Will Happen At Trade Deadline?

• Jazz Fall To Pelicans At Midway Point In Season

• Intriguing Utah Jazz Mock Draft Includes BYU Standout

• Utah Jazz Have Three Games Rescheduled After LA Fires

• Utah Jazz Mailbag: What Does Future Backcourt Look Like?

• Jazz Notes: Is Utah In A Good Position For A Top Pick?

Follow the Utah Jazz with KSL Sports

Tonight’s game against the Thunder is being televised on KJZZ, streamed on SEG+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.

Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky. 

Find KSLSports.com coverage of the Utah Jazz here.

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Brian Preece is a KSLsports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball coverage here.