Utah Jazz 138, Phoenix Suns 134 (OT): The Thriller That Reminded Us Why Overtime Basketball Is Pure Magic

Last night wasn’t just a game—it was a 48-minute (plus five extra) masterclass in resilience, clutch shots, and the kind of basketball drama that makes you yell at your TV like it’s 1998 and you’ve got a dial-up connection riding on the outcome.

If you missed the Utah Jazz’s 138-134 overtime victory over the Phoenix Suns, let me paint you a picture: Imagine two heavyweight boxers trading haymakers in the 12th round, only instead of gloves, they’re armed with step-back threes, no-look passes, and a combined 72 points in the paint. The crowd? A frenzied mix of Jazz fans chanting “DEFENSE!” (ironically, given the score) and Suns supporters still traumatized by that one Devin Booker sidestep three that rattled the rim but somehow didn’t fall.

This wasn’t just another W in the win column—it was a statement. A playoff-atmosphere game in December, the kind that makes you question why the NBA doesn’t just schedule these teams to play every night. So what made this overtime classic so special? Let’s break down the three biggest takeaways from a game that had everything: heroics, heartbreak, and a whole lot of “How did they *do* that?!” moments.

1. The Return of the Clutch Gene: When Role Players Become Superheroes

Remember when Jordan Clarkson was just that guy who could heat up for 10 points in a quarter but disappear for the next three games? Yeah, well, he doesn’t. Last night, Clarkson didn’t just show up—he announced his arrival with a 30-foot buzzer-beater to force overtime, then proceeded to drop 8 of his 23 points in the extra period like it was a casual pickup game.

But here’s the thing: This wasn’t a one-man show. The Jazz had five players in double figures, including Walker Kessler (12 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks) looking like a young Rudy Gobert with his rim protection. Meanwhile, the Suns got 28 from Devin Booker (because of course they did) and a quietly dominant 24-point, 16-assist double-double from Kevin Durant—who, by the way, is playing like a man who really wants that ring.

The Big Question: Is This the Jazz’s Blue Collar Identity?

Utah’s been searching for its post-Donovan Mitchell, post-Rudy Gobert identity, and last night, they might’ve found it: A team that doesn’t rely on one superstar but instead overwhelms you with waves of contributors. Clarkson’s heroics were huge, but so were:

Collin Sexton’s 20 points (including some filthy floaters in traffic).
Lauri Markkanen’s 18 points and 11 boards, because apparently, the Finnisher can do it all.
Talen Horton-Tucker’s 15 points off the bench, proving that sometimes, all you need is a change of scenery (and a coach who believes in you).

Contrast that with the Suns, who still rely heavily on their Big Three (Booker, Durant, Beal)—and when those guys aren’t hitting, the offense can stall. Last night, they almost got away with it. Almost.

2. Defense? What Defense? (And Why That’s Actually a Good Thing)

If you’re a basketball purist who believes in the sanctity of the 90-85 grind-it-out game, this was not the game for you. The Jazz and Suns combined for 272 points, shot 50% from the field, and treated defense like an optional side quest in a video game. And yet… it was glorious.

Here’s the thing about modern NBA offense: When two teams are this skilled, defense becomes less about stopping the other team and more about who can outlast who. The Jazz and Suns traded baskets like kids trading Pokémon cards, and the result was a game that felt like a playoff Game 7, not a random December matchup.

By the Numbers: How Chaos Won the Day

Fast break points: Suns 22, Jazz 18 (because why walk the ball up when you can run?).
Points in the paint: 72 combined (that’s not a typo).
Three-pointers made: 38 (on 80 attempts—so, yeah, they were feeling it).
Turnovers: 23 combined, because sometimes you’ve just gotta live with the chaos.

The Suns, in particular, seemed determined to prove that transition defense is optional when you’ve got KD and Book cooking. Meanwhile, the Jazz countered by switching everything on defense, daring the Suns to beat them with mismatches. Spoiler: It almost worked.

3. Overtime: The Five Minutes That Felt Like an Eternity

Let’s talk about overtime, because that extra five minutes was a microcosm of the entire game: frantic, sloppy, brilliant, and ultimately decided by which team could make one more play.

The Suns started OT with a Booker three (because of course they did), but the Jazz answered with a Clarkson and-one. Then KD hit a fadeaway. Then Markkanen answered with a three. Then Beal almost won it with a step-back. Then Clarkson actually won it with free throws.

It was basketball as a high-wire act, with both teams refusing to blink. And when the dust settled, the Jazz had outscored the Suns 14-10 in OT, thanks in large part to:

Clarkson’s 8 points (because he’s apparently saved his best for last this season).
Kessler’s rim protection (two huge blocks in OT that swung momentum).
The Suns’ fatigue—you could see it in their legs after KD and Book logged 40+ minutes each.

The Shot That (Almost) Was—and Why It Matters

With 12 seconds left in regulation, Devin Booker pulled up from 28 feet with a hand in his face and… airballed. Wait, no—it hit the front rim, then the back rim, then somehow didn’t go in. If that shot drops, we’re not even talking about overtime. Instead, it became the defining “what if?” moment of the game.

Booker’s reaction said it all: hands on hips, staring at the rim like it had personally betrayed him. Meanwhile, Jazz fans will tell their grandkids about “The Miss Heard ‘Round the Delta Center.”

What This Game Means for Both Teams

For the Utah Jazz: Play-In or Play-Off?

The Jazz are now 14-10, good for 6th in the West, and suddenly looking like a team that could not just make the playoffs but win a series. Their depth, clutch shooting, and newfound resilience (they’ve won 4 straight) suggest they’re more than just a fun story—they might be legit.

Key stat: Utah is 10-2 at home this season. If they can turn the Delta Center into a fortress, they’ll be a nightmare matchup in April.

For the Phoenix Suns: Time to Panic? (No. But Maybe Time to Worry.)

The Suns are 13-10, which is… fine? But for a team with three max-contract superstars, “fine” feels like underachieving. The issues:

Defensive inconsistencies (they’re 20th in defensive rating).
Over-reliance on the Big Three (their bench was outscored 38-22 last night).
Late-game execution (that Booker miss wasn’t a fluke—they’ve struggled in clutch situations).

Still, it’s December. The Suns have time. But games like this—where they should win but don’t—are the kind that come back to haunt you in May.

Three Things to Watch Going Forward

The Jazz’s Closing Lineup: Clarkson, Sexton, Markkanen, Horton-Tucker, and Kessler might just be their best five. Will coach Will Hardy stick with it?
KD’s Minutes: Durant played 43 minutes last night. At 35, can he keep that up in a playoff series?
The Suns’ Bench: Eric Gordon and Josh Okogie need to be more than spot-up shooters if Phoenix wants to contend.

Final Thought: Why This Game Was a Gift to Basketball Fans

In an era where load management and “player empowerment” often leave us with watered-down regular-season games, last night was a reminder of why we fell in love with the NBA in the first place. It was messy, emotional, and unpredictable—like a great rock concert where the band plays all the hits and improvises a 10-minute jam session.

The Jazz and Suns gave us:

A game-winning shot (Clarkson’s OT free throws).
A heartbreaking near-miss (Booker’s rim-rattler).
End-to-end action that never let up.
A statement win for a Jazz team that refuses to be ignored.

So no, this wasn’t just another game. It was a December classic, the kind you’ll remember when these teams meet again in April—and trust me, they will.

Your Turn: What Did You See?

Did Clarkson’s clutch gene surprise you? Are the Suns in trouble, or is this just a blip? And most importantly… how loud did you yell when Booker’s shot rimmed out?

Drop your takes in the comments, and if you loved this breakdown, don’t miss:

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Kebun Firdaus

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