Isaiah Collier, Lauri Markkanen Connect On Long-Range Alley-Oop In Phoenix

PHOENIX – From rookie to vet, Isaiah Collier found a cutting Lauri Markkanen for a highlight alley-oop slam in the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns.

The play summed up the performance from two of Utah’s starters well. Collier led the team in assists and Markkanen led in points through the first three quarters.

throwin’ lobs from scottsdale 🗺️#TakeNote | @markkanenlauri pic.twitter.com/ddCZbBGhIs

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2025

With 12 minutes left in regulation, Markkanen had 19 points and Collier recorded seven dimes.

Coming off of back-to-back nine-assist performances, the rookie out of USC put himself in a position to reach double-figures for the first time in the Footprint Center.

Meanwhile, Markkanen looked like a sure bet to surpass his season average of 20 points for the third game in a row.

like a magnet to the ball 🧲 https://t.co/PnOEjdpKV7 pic.twitter.com/o1sdhMn4gO

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2025

The Jazz went on to win the third quarter by ?? points.

However, a double-digit first-half deficit still saw Utah trailing by eight going into the fourth.

Jazz Face Suns To Open Weekend Doubleheader

The Utah Jazz will travel to the Phoenix to face the Suns on Saturday to kick off a weekend doubleheader.

After facing the Suns, the Jazz will fly home to host the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.

Related: Jazz Fall To Heat

Since November 9 (the last two months), the @Suns are 9-18 while the @UtahJazz are 8-20.

Suns rank 23rd in NetRating at -3.6 while the Jazz are 24th at -4.5.

Throw out the Jazz’s 1-7 start, and the Suns’ 8-1 start, and these are basically identical teams.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 10, 2025

The Jazz will match up with a Suns team looking to lace together consecutive wins for the first time December 13-15.

Phoenix jumped out to an 8-1 record to start the season but is just 9-18 since, and 3-8 in their last 11 games.

The Suns opened their current three-game homestand with a 123-115 victory over Atlanta, despite allowing the Hawks to score 72 points in the first half.

Since November 9, the Suns rank 12th offensively and 24th defensively, while their -3.6 net rating is eighth-worst in the NBA.

Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.

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