Lauri Markkanen scored 29 points and the Utah Jazz beat Washington 123-108 on Thursday night, spoiling Brian Keefe's debut as interim coach after Wes Unseld Jr. was moved to the Wizards' front office.
Jazz Wizards Basketball Washington Wizards interim head coach Brian Keefe, center, pauses during a timeout during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
Jazz Wizards Basketball Washington Wizards interim head coach Brian Keefe, left, talks with forward Kyle Kuzma (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
Jazz Wizards Basketball Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) drives past Utah Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio (16) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
Jazz Wizards Basketball Washington Wizards interim head coach Brian Keefe reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
Jazz Wizards Basketball Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn (11) and Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) battle for the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
Jazz Wizards Basketball Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija (8) dunks over Utah Jazz guards Ochai Agbaji (30) and Jordan Clarkson, second from right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
Jazz Wizards Basketball Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) dunks over Washington Wizards forward Marvin Bagley III (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
Jazz Wizards Basketball Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) passes the ball around Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
Jazz Wizards Basketball Washington Wizards forward Marvin Bagley III (35) looks to shoot under pressure from Utah Jazz forward John Collins, top left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lauri Markkanen scored 29 points and the Utah Jazz beat Washington 123-108 on Thursday night, spoiling Brian Keefe’s debut as interim coach after Wes Unseld Jr. was moved to the Wizards’ front office.
“Just got back to our normal self,” Markkanen said. “It wasn’t perfect tonight, but we definitely brought the energy.”
“I was pleased with the process tonight,” Keefe said. “We didn’t shoot the ball well. I think we had 33 assists and we only made seven 3s, so that’s good. We played at the pace we wanted to. If we made those shots, we would have been right there. But I was proud of our resilience within the game. That was really important to me.”
John Collins added 22 points and 16 rebounds to help Utah snap a three-game losing streak.
“Some good games from a lot of guys,” Utah coach Will Hardy said. “I think John Collins, his activity tonight, his energy level screening and rolling, getting on the glass, 22 and 16 with seven offensive rebounds, I thought he was a huge reason why we won tonight’s game.”
Kelly Olynyk and Jordan Clarkson each had 19 points for Utah and Collin Sexton added 11.
“I thought Kelly did a good job of mixing up popping and rolling,” Hardy said. “In particular, there are two possessions where he recognizes that Daniel Gafford is guarding him. And instead of rolling, pops. He also did a good job digging out some loose balls and finishing around the basket. He had that fade-away in the post that was pretty sweet.”
Kyle Kuzma led Washington with 26 points. Jordan Poole had 18.
The Wizards got off to a good start, leading 13-4, but the Jazz quickly turned it around and led 36-29 after the first quarter.
Washington made it 40-38 a few minutes into the second, but that’s the closest it got. Utah led 64-56 at the half and 98-78 after the third quarter.
“We didn’t hit shots,” Kuzma said. “We played with great effort. Probably one of our best effort nights.”
