Jalen Williams scores 28 points and the Thunder cruise past the Suns, 136-109

PHOENIX (AP) — Jalen Williams scored 28 points, Isaiah Joe added 21 and the hot-shooting Oklahoma City Thunder cruised to a 136-109 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.

Oklahoma City led by at least 20 points for the entire second half, pushing the advantage to 37 in the third. Williams shot 11 of 12 from the field and added five assists and four rebounds. Joe made 6 of 8 3-pointers.

Kenrich Williams added 15 points and Chet Holmgren had 13. The defending champion Thunder — who have won four of six — shot 58.4% from the field and got 74 points from players coming off the bench.

Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 23 points. Royce O'Neale and Jordan Goodwin both added 12.

The Thunder jumped to a 75-52 lead by halftime, shooting 11 of 18 (61.1%) from 3-point range. Joe came off the bench to lead the Thunder with 15 points before the break. Brooks led the Suns with 14.

Despite the lopsided loss, the Suns go into the All-Star break with a 32-23 record, which is much better than most anticipated after the franchise traded 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant to the Rockets during the summer.

Oklahoma City leads the NBA with a 42-13 record.

Both teams were missing important pieces Wednesday.

The Suns were without guards Devin Booker (ankle), Jalen Green (hamstring) and Grayson Allen (knee). Booker and Green recently came back from injuries and played on Tuesday in a win against the Mavericks, but coach Jordan Ott elected not to risk the their health on the second night of back-to-back games.

Thunder guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell both missed the game with abdominal strains. Gilgeous-Alexander — who missed his fourth straight game — is second in the league in scoring with 31.8 points per game.

Thunder: Host Milwaukee on Thursday night.

Suns: At San Antonio on Thursday, Feb. 19.

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

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Kenrich Williams (34) drives on Phoenix Suns guard Amir Coffey during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain (3) drives past Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain scores between Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) and forward Oso Ighodaro during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe drives between Phoenix Suns guard Amir Coffey (17) and forward Ryan Dunn during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) drives on Phoenix Suns forward Oso Ighodaro during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Utah Jazz brought in Jaren Jackson Jr. with an eye on accelerating the franchise's rebuilding process.

When the Jazz acquired the two-time All-Star in a trade with Memphis on Feb. 3, it sent a clear signal Utah is serious about moving closer to playoff contention next season. The Jazz envision Jackson forming a long-term frontcourt partnership with top scorer Lauri Markkanen that promises to create size and length mismatches against many opponents.

Jackson, who earned NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023, embraces the idea of playing a pivotal role in helping Utah finally make the transition from lottery team to future playoff contender.

“My goal is to come here and win a championship here,” Jackson said before his home debut for Utah against Sacramento on Wednesday. “I don’t really think my mind is geared toward anything else. That’s just kind of the mentality that I have. Then when you look at who we have, I really like what I see.”

Through his first three games since joining the Jazz, Jackson is averaging 22.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while playing 24 minutes per game. He had a team-high 23 points for the Jazz in a 121-93 victory over the Kings. His versatility already seems like an ideal fit for how Utah wants to construct its roster beyond this season.

Jazz coach Will Hardy said he’s eager to find out how pairing Jackson and Markkanen on the court will force opposing teams to adjust to combat their length, size, and individual playmaking abilities.

“The thing I’ve been most interested in – and it’s going to be one we have to continue to explore – is when he and Lauri play together, what are the matchups like?” Hardy said. “Who’s guarding who? What types of players are teams going to put on each of those guys?”

Jackson is already feeling comfortable with the Jazz, despite still being mostly unfamiliar with the playbook.

“This system is a different offense than anything I’ve played in before,” Jackson said. “It’s a system with a lot of movement, especially offensively, and I think I can bring a lot to the table. I’m learning a lot about it. Every day I learn a little bit more.”

His presence has already influenced significant defensive improvement from the Jazz.

In three games with Jackson, Utah is allowing 108 points per game while limiting opponents to 39.2% shooting from the field. Jackson has emerged as a vocal leader on the court, helping younger teammates figure things out quicker defensively.

“The thing I’ve been most impressed with in our short time together is his communication,” Hardy said. “He’s an elite defensive communicator.”

Playing Jackson has required a balancing act for Utah between making progress for the future and retaining a top-eight protected first-round pick in the 2026 NBA draft. The Jazz have drawn criticism on social media and elsewhere recently after Hardy elected not to play Jackson and Markkanen in the fourth quarter during the team’s recent road games against Orlando and Miami. The duo also did not play in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's blowout win over Sacramento.

Jackson takes his playing time in stride and said his main focus is on making the most out of whatever minutes he gets on the court.

“You just have to make an impact when you’re in the game,” said Jackson, while also noting he’s mentally capable of handling anything thrown at him in his eighth season in the league. “That’s what you have to focus on. If you focus on when you’re not out there, your gonna struggle as a player.”

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

Utah Jazz forward Jaren Jackson Jr. reacts after making a three point basket against the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Utah Jazz forward Jaren Jackson Jr. reacts after a play against the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Utah Jazz forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (20) posts up against the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black (0) is fouled by Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, left, while going up to shoot, as center Jaren Jackson Jr. (20) helps defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Utah Jazz center Jaren Jackson Jr. (20) reacts after scoring a 3-point basket against the Orlando Magic during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Utah Jazz center Jaren Jackson Jr. (20) is defended by Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)