Utah Jazz Finish Winless Road Trip With Overtime Thriller

Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 29 points, and Keyonte George added 25. However, the duo couldn’t overcome Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s dominant performance, as the Thunder star poured in 46 points.

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The Jazz positioned themselves to hand the Thunder their seventh loss in their last 13 games, while snapping a five-game skid of their own, but couldn’t get the ball over the goal line.

With 5:49 remaining in the fourth quarter, Utah built a 105-97 lead, with Jusuf Nurkic punishing the smaller Thunder roster in the paint.

That momentum vanished when Nurkic picked up his fifth foul on the next possession.

Forced to avoid a sixth foul, the Bosnian big man could only watch as the Thunder attacked the rim, scoring 13 straight points on dunks, layups, and free throws. Gilgeous-Alexander then drilled two jumpers, including a buzzer-beater, to force overtime.

SHAI SENDS IT TO OVERTIME

CLUTCH. 🔥🔥🔥

pic.twitter.com/B0A0ZRGmvS

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 8, 2026

Nurkic fouled out less than two minutes into the extra period on Gilgeous-Alexander’s go-ahead bucket, finishing with 15 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

Although the Jazz tied the game with 42 seconds left, the Thunder sealed the win with a Chet Holmgren putback dunk and free throws from the reigning MVP.

Despite the defeat, Jazz coach Will Hardy praised his team’s effort.

“I’m really proud of our team, that was a high-level game on the road at the end of a long trip, and I think that I told the team that that is competing at the highest level,” Hardy said.

“I’m really proud of our team.” 💜

Coach Hardy on tonight’s effort 🎙️#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/u5fGlFJiWQ

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 8, 2026

After three straight road losses, including a 20-point blowout in Portland on Thursday, the Jazz could have folded against Oklahoma City. Instead, they fought to the final buzzer.

Rather than waste one of their 82 games, Utah gave the Thunder everything they could handle and deserve kudos, even in defeat.

“If we can consistently compete like that as a group, the physicality, the communication, the effort, the toughness, we’re going to get where we want to go,” Hardy said.

Walt Clayton Jr. Shows Grit Against Elite Thunder Backcourt

Facing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, and Cason Wallace is a daunting task for any guard—especially a rookie. But nobody told Jazz newcomer Walt Clayton Jr.

The Florida product played the final 17 minutes without leaving the floor in the fourth quarter or overtime, and held his own against the Thunder trio.

While Gilgeous-Alexander’s monster night earned Oklahoma City the victory, Clayton Jr. proved to be worthy of his opportunity, scoring nine clutch points during his extended stint on the floor.

gonna leave this here for you @GatorsMBK fans 🐊🫶#TakeNote | @w1clayton pic.twitter.com/5L6f03UnpA

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 8, 2026

The guard is still adjusting to the NBA, as shown by three air-balled jumpers and three turnovers, but the moment wasn’t too big for the 22-year-old.

Clayton Jr. finished with 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists in 27 minutes, leading the second unit in scoring.

With Keyonte George’s emergence, the Jazz don’t need Clayton Jr to evolve into a full-time starter, but just 32 games into his NBA career, and he looks like a bona fide rotation player.