The Utah Jazz earned a hard-fought 126-119 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night, powered by strong performances from Collin Sexton, Keyonte George, and Lauri Markkanen. Utah snapped a three-game losing streak with the win, marking only its second victory in the last 10 games.
Sexton led the Jazz with 30 points, while Markkanen recorded a double-double with 27 points and 14 rebounds. George added 28 points, including a clutch three-pointer in the final minute, helping the Jazz withstand a late Pistons rally.
The Jazz raced to a blistering start, scoring 42 points in the first 10 minutes of the game. Sexton and George combined for 22 first-quarter points, shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond the arc. Utah finished the opening period with a commanding 48-19 lead.
Despite building a 29-point advantage, the Jazz struggled with turnovers throughout the game. Utah committed 27 turnovers, allowing Detroit to stay within striking distance.
Cade Cunningham kept the Pistons competitive, pouring in 33 points before fouling out in the final minute. Malik Beasley chipped in with 26 points off the bench, while Paul Reed contributed 12 points and nine rebounds.
The Pistons staged a late comeback, cutting Utah’s lead to 114-109 with 1:45 remaining. However, back-to-back three-pointers from John Collins and George extended the Jazz’s lead to 120-109, securing the victory.
The game also featured a heated moment in the third quarter. A dead-ball altercation led to technical fouls for Jordan Clarkson and Paul Reed, while Clarkson and Ron Holland II were ejected for escalating the situation.
Markkanen’s consistency on both ends of the court was key for the Jazz, while Sexton and George combined for 12 three-pointers. Despite the team’s turnover issues, Utah’s efficient shooting—50% from three-point range and 90.3% from the free-throw line—proved decisive.
The Pistons, now 11-17 on the season, continue to face challenges despite strong individual performances from Cunningham and Beasley. Detroit struggled to find its rhythm from deep, shooting just 27.7% from beyond the arc.
The Jazz improved to 6-20 with the win and will look to build momentum as they prepare for their next matchup.