SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — Lauri Markkanen scored 33 points and the Utah Jazz halted a five-game skid with a 116-114 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night at Delta Center. Keyonte George hit a 14-foot jumper with 29 seconds remaining for the decisive points. Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 26 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Klay Thompson added 23 points off the bench, including six 3-pointers. The Mavericks committed 20 turnovers, leading to 11 Jazz steals. Utah led 34-29 after the first quarter and held a narrow advantage for much of the game. A late 3-pointer by Thompson tied the score with 47 seconds left before George’s winner. Markkanen added seven rebounds and four assists for the Jazz, who improved to 13-24. Dallas fell to 14-24.

SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — Lauri Markkanen scored 33 points and the Utah Jazz halted a five-game slide, surviving a chaotic final sequence to edge the Dallas Mavericks 116-114 on Thursday night at Delta Center. In a game defined by sloppy ball handling and critical late-game execution, the Jazz capitalized on 20 Mavericks turnovers, converting them into 28 points, to secure just their 13th win of the season before an announced crowd of 18,186. The contest appeared headed for overtime after Dallas’ Klay Thompson, who scored 23 points off the bench, drained a deep 27-foot 3-pointer with 47.2 seconds remaining to tie the score at 114. Utah’s Keyonte George answered on the ensuing possession, hitting a tough 14-foot pull-up jumper in the lane to put the Jazz back ahead with 29 seconds left. Dallas called timeout to set up a final play. The Mavericks worked the ball to Max Christie, whose 3-point step-back attempt from the left wing missed. Rookie forward Cooper Flagg snatched the offensive rebound for Dallas, but his hurried pass out to the perimeter was intercepted by Utah’s Walter Clayton with 12.7 seconds to go. Flagg immediately fouled Clayton, sending him to the line for two shots. Clayton missed both free throws, but Markkanen was whistled for a loose ball foul on the rebound attempt, sending Dallas’ Daniel Gafford to the line with 7.1 seconds remaining and a chance to tie. Gafford also missed both attempts, and Utah’s Brice Sensabaugh secured the crucial defensive board. Sensabaugh was fouled and made both free throws with 5.8 seconds left to extend Utah’s lead to 116-114. Dallas had one final desperation heave, but Naji Marshall’s 30-foot 3-pointer as time expired was ruled to have been released after the buzzer following a referee review, sealing the Jazz victory. The game was a stark contrast in offensive styles. Utah, despite shooting a lower percentage from the field (47 of 95, 49.5%) and from 3-point range (13 of 41, 31.7%), generated 11 more shot attempts, largely due to a dominant 20-9 advantage in turnovers. The Jazz also dished out 11 assists to Dallas’ 4, highlighting a more cohesive, if not always efficient, offensive approach. Dallas relied on individual shot-making, finishing 44 of 85 (51.8%) from the floor and 15 of 36 (41.7%) from beyond the arc. However, the Mavericks’ offense often stagnated, resulting in a season-low four assists. Their 111.6 offensive rating on 102 possessions was ultimately undermined by the giveaways. Markkanen, the 7-foot-1 forward from Finland, led all scorers and added seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks. George provided 19 points and seven assists, while Sensabaugh chipped in 14 points off the bench. Veteran Kevin Love recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Flagg, the Mavericks’ standout rookie, filled the stat sheet with 26 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists but was plagued by seven turnovers, including the critical late-game steal. Anthony Davis posted 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Thompson’s six 3-pointers provided a vital spark. Marshall added 17 points for Dallas. Utah set an aggressive tone early, racing to a 34-29 lead after the first quarter behind 10 points from Markkanen. The Jazz maintained a slim 58-55 advantage at halftime. Dallas surged in the third quarter, outscoring Utah 34-30 to take a 89-88 lead into the final period, setting the stage for the frantic finish. The win improved Utah’s record to 13-24, while Dallas fell to 14-24. The teams are scheduled to meet again in a home-and-home set next week, with games in Dallas on Jan. 15 and Jan. 17. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Utah had a 58% probability to win pregame, though Dallas had been installed as a 5.5-point favorite by oddsmakers. The total score of 230 fell well under the over/under line of 241.5.

Preview: Mavericks at Jazz, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — Two teams looking to build on rare recent wins will meet Thursday when the Dallas Mavericks visit the Utah Jazz at Delta Center. Both clubs enter with losing records, as Dallas (14-23) sits just ahead of Utah (12-23) in the Western Conference standings. The Mavericks snapped a three-game skid with a 100-98 road victory over Sacramento on Tuesday. The Jazz, however, are reeling, having lost five of their last six, including a 137-117 defeat in Portland on Monday. The matchup features a compelling contrast in focal points. Dallas is led by rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, who is coming off a 20-point, eight-rebound, six-assist performance against the Kings. Over his last 10 games, the versatile forward has averaged 20.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists, showcasing the all-around skill that has made him the Mavericks’ cornerstone. Utah will counter with the interior presence of veteran center Jusuf Nurkic. He recorded a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds in the loss to Portland and has been a consistent force, averaging 15.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 6.3 assists over his last eight contests. His playmaking from the post will be key against a Dallas defense that has struggled at times. This game is a quick rematch of a high-scoring affair won by Utah, 140-133, in Salt Lake City on Dec. 15. The Jazz will look to replicate that offensive success, while the Mavericks aim for a more defensive-minded approach to secure a road win. For Dallas, forward Anthony Davis, who had 19 points and 16 rebounds Tuesday, provides a critical secondary scoring and rebounding threat alongside Flagg. Utah will rely on Lauri Markkanen (22 points vs. Portland) and rookie guard Isaiah Collier (10 points, nine assists) to supplement Nurkic’s production. The game kicks off a pivotal home-and-home set between the teams, who will meet again in Dallas next Thursday. A win for either side could provide momentum in a season that has offered few sustained positives thus far. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST.