Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – The Oklahoma City Thunder secured a decisive victory against the Utah Jazz, finishing with a commanding score of 133-106 on December 3, 2024. This matchup marked the first of four meetings this season between the two teams, and for the Jazz, it concluded their hopes for advancing beyond the group stage of the 2024 NBA Cup.
Coming off of three consecutive losses, the Jazz entered the game at Paycom Center struggling to find their footing this season. With only four wins to show for their 21 games, they faced off against the formidable Thunder, standing at 16-5 and positioned at the top of the Western Conference.
Despite their lower standings, the Jazz initially put up some resistance, starting with an early lead. They jumped out to a 19-10 advantage before the Thunder rallied back with a 12-4 run, keeping the game competitive. By the end of the first quarter, the Jazz had fallen behind 32-25, marking the beginning of their troubles as they were outscored 22-6 to close the frame.
Transitioning to the second quarter, the Jazz continued to struggle, and their performance deteriorated due to 19 turnovers they would commit over the course of the game. "The Jazz are shooting a stellar 61 percent from the floor and 43 percent from three, but have committed 19 turnovers," KSL Sports noted, emphasizing the disparity between their shooting efficiency and their inability to protect the basketball.
By halftime, the Thunder led 62-50, with stars like Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stepping up significantly on the offensive end. Although the Jazz managed to shoot impressively from the field, their careless mistakes paved the way for the Thunder to capitalize on fast-break opportunities and convert turnovers to points.
Throughout the third quarter, the Thunder asserted their dominance, outscoring the Jazz 40-25. Heading to the fourth quarter with Oklahoma City at 102 and Utah at 75, the game appeared far out of reach for the Jazz. The miraculous performances of Walker Kessler and Jordan Clarkson, who each put up 17 points, served as bright spots but were not enough to even the playing field.
Both teams entered the fourth quarter with high energy, but it was clear the Thunder were not allowing any room for complacency. Even with the Jazz's continuing fight, the final whistle indicated Utah's fate — they fell to the Thunder 133-106, marking another tough chapter for them this season. "The Utah Jazz fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder 133-106 to open their December road schedule," reported KSL Sports.
Following this game, the Jazz look forward to their next challenge against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 6, where they will aim to find some semblance of rhythm as they push through this season's difficulties. The Thunder, meanwhile, prepare for their upcoming match against the Dallas Mavericks, continuing their strong campaign.