Incredible Third Quarter Thrusts OKC Thunder Past Utah Jazz
Nov 21, 2025, 11:05 PM | Updated: Nov 22, 2025, 12:00 am
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) (Credit: Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
(Credit: Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz suffered a 144-112 blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, dropping to 5-10 on the season.
Keyonte George scored 20 points and Lauri Markkanen added 19, but both were outdueled by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who poured in 31 points in 30 minutes on just 14 field goal attempts.
The Jazz committed 28 turnovers, which led to 44 Thunder points.
“You can’t have 28 turnovers for 44 points in an NBA game and win,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “It just doesn’t work. As a group, we have to do a better job of being strong with the ball at the point of attack.”
Related: Jazz Big Bet On Ace Bailey Is Paying Off
Thunder’s Immaculate Third-Quarter Run Crushes Jazz
The Jazz played one of their best first halves of the season against the reigning champions, taking a 68-67 lead into halftime.
Those 68 points were the most the Thunder had allowed through two quarters this season, as the Jazz shot 56 percent from the field and 52 percent from three.
But the momentum vanished quickly.
Ajay’s too quick ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/1rCL3Pvs4J
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) November 22, 2025
The Thunder, the league’s best third-quarter team, unleashed a stunning run midway through the period, blowing the Jazz off the court in just minutes.
The Jazz led 84-77 with 7:20 left in the third when Oklahoma City launched a staggering 33-4 run to close the frame. The Thunder hit 12 of 14 shots and two free throws over a 15-possession stretch.
“In the third quarter, especially the end of the third quarter, the game just sort of disintegrated, and a lot of that is due to turnovers,” Hardy said. “Then the communication starts to wane, and we start to be a little bit hesitant, defensively, and it snowballs.”
The Jazz aren’t the only team to feel the Thunder’s third-quarter wrath. Oklahoma City owns a league-best 26.5 net rating in the period, fueled by a 124.1 offensive rating and an unheard-of 97.6 defensive rating.
Jazz on a Historically Bad Defensive Run
After surrendering 144 points to the Thunder, the Jazz have now allowed at least 140 points in three straight games.
Over their last seven outings, they have given up an astonishing 948 points, becoming only the third team in NBA history to allow such a streak.
The @utahjazz have allowed 948 points over their last 7 outings.
That’s the most points over a seven-game span since the Denver Nuggets in 1990.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) November 22, 2025
The 948 points are the most since the Denver Nuggets did it 13 times in 1990. The only other team to do it was the Philadelphia Warriors, who allowed 981 points in 1962.
Opponents are averaging 135 points per game against the Jazz during this stretch.
Jazz Eliminated From Cup Play
Friday’s loss officially eliminated the Jazz from Cup Play, dropping them to 0-3 in the 2025 In-Season Tournament.
They lost their first Cup Game to the Phoenix Suns on Halloween and their second to the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 7.
After winning their first two Cup Games during the inaugural tournament in 2023, the Jazz have now lost nine straight.
They will try to snap that streak when they host the Kings next Friday to conclude the group stage.
Next Utah Jazz Broadcast
The Jazz will host the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at 6 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
Are you on Instagram? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports.
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.
