Collin Sexton and Talen Horton-Tucker each scored 27 points, leading the Utah Jazz to a commanding 125-108 win over the Brooklyn Nets during Monday’s NBA action. This marked Sexton’s fifth consecutive game with over 20 points, contributing to Utah’s third victory in their last four games.
Sexton expressed a sense of rhythm and enjoyment in the team’s play, noting the inclusive and fun nature of their game. Horton-Tucker, alongside Sexton, also provided six assists each, demonstrating their growing synergy on the court. This game marked the second win for Utah in the games where Sexton and Horton-Tucker have started together.
“I just feel like I’m just in a flow right now,” Sexton said. “It feels good. It feels like the ball is popping. It feels like everybody is involved. We’re all involved and it’s fun.”
Jazz coach Will Hardy praised the duo’s performance, emphasizing how their efforts are translating into tangible results. Lauri Markkanen contributed with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Walker Kessler had an impressive night with 14 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks.
“It’s great when guys play in a way that you would envision them playing over a pocket of time,” Hardy said. “It’s even better when they get a night where the numbers show them in a different way that what they’re doing is paying off.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets, Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz Updates
For the Nets, Cam Thomas scored 32 points, and Spencer Dinwiddie added 17 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds. This loss ended Brooklyn’s three-game winning streak against Utah and concluded their five-game road trip with four defeats, bringing them to a .500 record.
Despite leading during the second and much of the third quarter, Brooklyn struggled to pull away from Utah, never leading by more than seven points. The Jazz surged ahead with a decisive 15-2 run in the third quarter, propelled by Sexton, John Collins, and Markkanen’s three-point shooting.
The Nets attempted a comeback in the fourth quarter, narrowing the gap to 108-101, but Utah’s solid play halted their efforts. Horton-Tucker scored consecutive baskets and assisted Kessler in an alley-oop dunk, igniting a 12-0 run that solidified Utah’s lead.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets, Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz Updates
Brooklyn coach Jacque Vaughn credited Utah’s changing defense, particularly their zone strategy, for disrupting the Nets’ rhythm. Thomas, who averaged 26.0 points on the road trip, remarked on Utah’s unique defensive approach.
“You give them credit for changing the defense up a little bit during that stretch,” Vaughn said. “We had opportunities to make shots that just didn’t go in for us.”
Thomas acknowledged how rarely he’s seen a box-and-one defense, referencing his AAU career while still in high school. Utah made it a focus to neutral him, daring other players to beat them.
“Today was the first time I’ve seen box-and-one since AAU,” Thomas said. “That was different.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets, Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz Updates
The Jazz significantly improved their three-point shooting in the second half, making 10-16 from beyond the arc, contrasting their four first-half three-pointers.
Looking ahead, the Nets will host the New York Knicks, while the Jazz travel to face the Cleveland Cavaliers, both games scheduled for Wednesday.
