George and Markkanen help Jazz snap 4-game skid with 128-119 win over Kings

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Keyonte George scored 31 points and Lauri Markkanen added 28 to help the Utah Jazz snap a four-game skid with a 128-119 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Friday night.

Brice Sensabaugh had 20 points for the Jazz, who finished 1-3 in NBA Cup group play.

Russell Westbrook, the NBA leader in triple-doubles, had the 206th of his career with 16 points, a season-high 14 assists and 12 rebounds for Sacramento, which went winless in four NBA Cup games. Zach LaVine led the Kings with 34 points, and Keegan Murray had 23 points and nine rebounds.

Trailing by 11 at halftime, Sacramento trimmed the deficit to 67-65 on a 3-pointer from Murray but got no closer.

George hit back-to-back 3-pointers and followed with a floater to help Utah regain a double-digit lead. The Jazz closed the third quarter on a 10-0 run, capped by Jusuf Nurkic’s layup for a 90-73 lead.

Utah held Sacramento without a field goal for six minutes on its way to building a double-digit lead early in the second quarter. Markkanen made three baskets and hit a pair of free throws to fuel a 20-2 run that put the Jazz up 39-27.

Sacramento cut the deficit to 55-51 on a 3-pointer by LaVine that punctuated a 10-2 run. Markkanen countered with a 3 and then beat the buzzer with a layup to extend Utah’s lead to 62-51 going into halftime.

Kings: Host Memphis on Sunday.

Jazz: Host Houston on Sunday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) posts up guarded by Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic (30) during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook brings the ball up court during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

Utah Jazz forward Kevin Love, right, drives to the basket while guarded by Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine, left, during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (8) goes up to dunk the ball during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George, right, dunks the ball over Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan, left, during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 45 points and the Los Angeles Clippers routed the Minnesota Timberwolves 153-128 on Wednesday night, moving above .500 with their third straight victory and sixth in seven games.

Eighth in the Western Conference at 33-32 after opening 6-21, the Clippers had their highest points total of the season. They blew out Minnesota after beating New York on Monday night to open a five-game homestand.

Leonard was 15 of 20 from the the field, 6 of 9 on 3s and made 9 of 10 free throws. Los Angeles made 19 of 37 3s.

Bennedict Mathurin scored 22 points for Los Angeles. Clippers newcomer Darius Garland had 21, hitting five 3-pointers.

Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 36 points and Naz Reid had 18.

Minnesota dropped to sixth in the tight Western Conference, but only a half-game behind the third-place Lakers. The Timberwolves have lost three in a row after winning five straight. They lost to the Lakers on Tuesday night to open four-game trip.

Leonard scored 18 points in the first quarter to help Los Angeles take a 38-27 lead. He had 28 at the half, with the Clippers up 74-65, and went to the fourth with 39 and LA ahead 109-98. Los Angeles had a 44-30 edge in the fourth.

Timberwolves: At Golden State on Friday night.

Clippers: Host Chicago on Friday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Bones Hyland gestures after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Jordan Miller (22) dribbles against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Bones Hyland, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) draws a foul against Los Angeles Clippers forward Isaiah Jackson (23) and guard Jordan Miller (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots against Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)