Lauri Markkanen delivered a historic performance, scoring a career-high 51 points and grabbing 14 rebounds to lead the Utah Jazz to a gritty 138-134 overtime victory against the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns, who once trailed by as much as 20, mounted a furious comeback to keep the game close, forcing a tense finish. With Utah up by two in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, a tip-in by Mark Williams sent the game into overtime, giving Phoenix another chance to steal the win.

The overtime period was just as competitive, with both teams trading blows until the deadlock was broken by a running floater from Keyonte George, who finished the night with a 26-point, 10-assist double-double, giving the Jazz the edge.

Phoenix had one last opportunity to snatch the win, but Collin Gillespie missed a crucial three-point attempt, and Walker Kessler secured the rebound. With 30 seconds remaining, George missed a potential game-sealing three, but Kessler grabbed the rebound, drew a foul, and Markkanen converted two free throws to cap his 51-point outburst.

Markkanen’s performance marked Utah’s first 50-point game since Karl Malone accomplished the feat in 1999.

The Jazz improve to 2-1 and will face the Portland Trail Blazers next, while the Suns fall to 1-3 and will look to bounce back against the Memphis Grizzlies.