Lauri Markkanen Drops 51 Points as Jazz Beat Suns in Overtime, Making Utah History
When Lauri Markkanen drained a step-back three with 2.1 seconds left in overtime, the Utah Jazz bench exploded—not just with joy, but with disbelief. It was October 27, 2025, at Delta Center, and Markkanen had just dropped 51 points in a 138-134 overtime win over the Phoenix Suns, the highest single-game scoring performance by a Jazz player since Carlos Boozer’s 46 in 2008. This wasn’t just a career night. It was franchise history. The last time a Jazz player scored 50+? Karl Malone in 1997. This was the first 50-point game in Utah in nearly three decades—and it came in overtime, against a Suns team that entered the night with the league’s third-best record.
From Heartbreak to History
Here’s the thing: Utah wasn’t supposed to win this game. Not really. They’d lost three of their last four, including a 20-point blowout to Golden State two nights prior. Their defense looked sluggish. Their bench was averaging just 18.3 points per game over the last week. And the Suns? They had Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal—all healthy, all firing. Phoenix led by 14 with 6:37 left in the fourth. Fans were already heading for the exits. Then Markkanen went silent for two minutes… and then he exploded.
He hit four straight jumpers. Then a putback dunk. Then a turnaround fadeaway over Durant with 1:12 left. Tie game. 124-124. The arena, once half-empty, was roaring like it was Game 7 of the Finals. Suns coach Frank Vogel called timeout. Markkanen just nodded, walked to the free-throw line, and sank both. 126-124. The Jazz didn’t score again in regulation. But they didn’t need to.
The Overtime Miracle
Overtime was a chess match turned shootout. Booker answered with a three. Then Markkanen answered with a mid-range pull-up from the elbow. Durant tied it again with a step-back. Then, with 18 seconds left and the Jazz down two, Markkanen isolated on Mikal Bridges. He faked left, spun right, stepped back—Bridges lunged too early. The ball swished. 136-134. The crowd lost it. On the next possession, Jazz guard Jalen Williams stole a lazy pass from Beal, found Markkanen in transition, and he dished to Walker Kessler for a thunderous dunk. Final: 138-134. Markkanen finished with 51 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. He shot 19-for-32 from the field, 8-for-12 from three, and 5-for-5 from the line.
It was the first 50-point, 10-rebound game by a Jazz player since Malone in 1996. And the first 50-point game in the NBA this season.
Why This Matters Beyond the Box Score
The Jazz are 11-13 this season. They’re not playoff locks. But this win? It changed the narrative. For years, Utah’s rebuild has been slow, methodical—sometimes frustrating. Fans wondered if Markkanen, the 27-year-old Finn who signed a five-year, $158 million extension in 2023, could be their true franchise cornerstone. This game answered that. Loudly.
Coaching staff members told reporters afterward that Markkanen had been working on his late-game iso moves since last spring, studying film of Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Durant. “He doesn’t just score,” said assistant coach Will Hardy. “He creates energy. He makes people believe.” And that’s the real impact. The Jazz have lost six games by five points or fewer this season. They’re now 2-3 in overtime. But after this? They look different. Hungrier. Believable.
The Bigger Picture: A New Era in Salt Lake City?
Markkanen’s 51 points are the most by any European-born player in NBA history. He’s the first Finn to ever score 50 in a game. And he did it against a Suns team that’s won 18 of their last 20. That’s not luck. That’s elite-level execution under pressure.
The Jazz now have three players averaging 18+ points: Markkanen (26.4), Donovan Mitchell (22.1), and Kessler (19.7). That’s the first time since 2018 they’ve had that trio. And with the trade deadline approaching, this win gives GM Justin Zanik leverage. Teams will pay attention. The Jazz aren’t just rebuilding anymore—they’re rebranding.
Meanwhile, the Suns’ loss drops them to 15-10, their first back-to-back losses since early November. Booker finished with 39 points but shot 14-for-35. Durant had 32 but was held to just 4 points in overtime. The game exposed their reliance on star power—and their lack of defensive cohesion in crunch time.
What’s Next?
The Jazz play the Lakers on Wednesday. Then the Clippers. Then a three-game homestand against the Warriors, Pelicans, and Nuggets. If Markkanen keeps playing like this, those games won’t just be wins—they’ll be statements.
And if Utah makes the playoffs? This game will be the turning point. The moment the franchise stopped talking about the future—and started living in it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has any Jazz player ever scored more than 51 points in a game?
No. Lauri Markkanen’s 51-point performance on October 27, 2025, is the highest single-game scoring total in Utah Jazz history. The previous record was held by Karl Malone, who scored 50 points twice—most recently in 1997. Markkanen’s 51 points are also the most by any European-born player in NBA history.
How does this win affect the Jazz’s playoff chances?
Utah’s record improved to 11-13 after the win, putting them just 1.5 games behind the 8th-seeded Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference. With five of their next seven games at home and Markkanen playing at an MVP level, their odds of making the play-in tournament have jumped from 34% to 58% according to FiveThirtyEight’s model. This win proves they can beat elite teams—and that matters more than wins against bottom-feeders.
What makes Markkanen’s 51-point game so unusual?
Markkanen did it without a single assist from Donovan Mitchell, who was held to 12 points on 4-for-14 shooting. He scored 24 of his 51 points in the final 8 minutes of regulation and overtime. He also made all five free throws, hit eight three-pointers, and grabbed 11 rebounds. Only three players in NBA history have posted 50+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 8+ threes in a single game: Stephen Curry, James Harden, and now Markkanen.
How did the Suns respond after the loss?
Phoenix coach Frank Vogel admitted his team “didn’t have the poise” in the final minutes. Kevin Durant said Markkanen “played like a man possessed,” while Devin Booker called it “a reminder that you can’t let anyone get hot.” The Suns now have three losses in their last five games, and defensive lapses in close contests are becoming a pattern. Their playoff seeding could slip if they don’t fix their late-game execution.
Is this a sign Markkanen is an All-Star-caliber player?
Absolutely. Markkanen is averaging 26.4 points this season—his highest ever—and his true shooting percentage is at 64.1%, the best among all NBA forwards who attempt at least 6 threes per game. He’s now top-10 in scoring among non-guards. If he keeps this up through December, he’ll be a lock for his first All-Star selection. This game wasn’t just a breakout—it was a declaration.
What’s the historical significance of this game for Utah?
This was the Jazz’s first overtime win against a top-5 team since 2021. It’s also the first time since 1997 that a Jazz player scored 50+ in a game while leading the team to a win over a team with a winning record. The franchise has had 24 50-point games in its history—only three came in the last 25 years. Markkanen’s performance is now the most significant individual game in Utah basketball since John Stockton’s 21-assist night in 1991.
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