Fantastic ending
Refs bailed the suns out definitely a foul on Kevin Durant pic.twitter.com/jE7ouGnqRY
— Golden State Warriors Fan 💛💙🏀 (@g0ldenstat3) November 20, 2023
Lauri Markkanen had another fantastic performance in the NBA, but his Utah Jazz lost to the Phoenix Suns 140-137.
Last night in the NBA, we had the opportunity to witness perhaps the game of the season at this moment. Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns played a fantastic battle, and the winner was decided only after two overtimes and a very controversial ending.
The entire game unfolded in a balanced tone with a lot of offense and very little defense, and halftime arrived with a score of 61-56 in favor of the Suns. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker predictably maintained the offensive rhythm for the Suns, while Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson decided to show their skills against a team contending for this season’s title.
In the fourth quarter, the Jazz turned the game around and at one point took a five-point lead, but the Suns didn’t allow a larger separation. Durant hit the net with a fadeaway shot a minute before the end for 115-113, but 20 seconds before the end, Markkanen made a putback to tie the score at 115-115. After that, Devin Booker missed a three-pointer for the win, and the game went into overtime.
Durant scored back-to-back baskets and knocked down three free throws to push the Suns out to a 135-130 lead in the second overtime.
The Jazz tied it again with 58.9 seconds left. Allen countered a go-ahead 3-pointer with 43 seconds remaining to keep Utah from taking its first lead after regulation.
Referee Ashley Moyer-Gieich initially whistled Durant for a foul when he blocked a shot from Markkanen with less than a second left. The call would have sent Markkanen to the free-throw line for three free throws and given him a chance to tie the game and force a third overtime.
Officials overturned the foul upon review, ruling Durant got the ball first.
“It was ridiculous to even call that,” Durant said. “I knew I blocked the shot and I knew I didn’t touch him at all. But that’s just how the game is. It was a quick play for her, so I’m sure she wanted to review it and get the right call. I’m glad they were able to call to Secaucus and get it right.”
Markkanen said he believed Durant struck him on the left arm when he made the final block and was surprised when the call was overturned.
“I thought (it was a foul),” Markkanen said. “I was getting ready to shoot three free throws.”
Refs bailed the suns out definitely a foul on Kevin Durant pic.twitter.com/jE7ouGnqRY
— Golden State Warriors Fan 💛💙🏀 (@g0ldenstat3) November 20, 2023
Kevin Durant led the winners with 39 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists, and two blocks and steals each (14-27 from the field, 4-9 from three-point range, 7-7 free throws). He was followed by Devin Booker with 26 points and eight assists, Jusuf Nurkic with 18 points and 12 rebounds, and Eric Gordon with 20 points. For the Jazz, the top performers were Lauri Markkanen with 38 points, 17 rebounds, and two steals and blocks each (15-27 from the field, 2-10 from three-point range), Talen Horton-Tucker with 25, and Jordan Clarkson with 22 points.
Suns now have a record of 7-6, while the Jazz has dropped to 4-9.