Suns Cruise Past Tanking Jazz in Lopsided Matchup

Phoenix takes care of business at home despite key injuries, while Utah continues to prioritize lottery odds over wins.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:20pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the players, court, and game action.The Suns' depth and versatility prove too much for the tanking Jazz in a lopsided Western Conference matchup.Phoenix Today

The Phoenix Suns cruised to a comfortable victory over the tanking Utah Jazz on Saturday night, winning 135-129 despite missing two starters. The Jazz, riddled with injuries and openly focused on securing a high draft pick, put on an embarrassing display of intentional losing in the fourth quarter against the Nuggets just the night before.

Why it matters

This game highlighted the stark contrast between a playoff-bound team in Phoenix fighting for seeding and a rebuilding squad in Utah that has completely given up on the current season. The Suns' ability to win handily without two key players also demonstrated their depth and versatility as they jockey for position in the Western Conference.

The details

The Suns were without starting center Mark Williams and wing Dillon Brooks, but they still had more than enough firepower to overwhelm the short-handed Jazz. Phoenix's trio of Devin Booker, Jalen Green, and Collin Gillespie combined for 92 points, while Utah's makeshift lineup of deep bench players like Elijah Harkless, Bez Mbeng, and Kennedy Chandler played the entire fourth quarter in an effort to blow a seven-point lead and lose by six.

  • The game took place on Saturday, March 28, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
  • The Jazz had just lost 135-129 to the Denver Nuggets the previous night, blowing a seven-point fourth quarter lead in a blatant tanking effort.

The players

Devin Booker

The star shooting guard for the Phoenix Suns, averaging over 27 points per game this season.

Jalen Green

The Suns' dynamic young scoring guard, forming a potent backcourt duo with Booker.

Collin Gillespie

The Suns' starting point guard, providing playmaking and perimeter shooting to complement the team's star scorers.

Mark Williams

The Suns' starting center, sidelined for this game due to injury.

Dillon Brooks

The Suns' starting wing and top perimeter defender, also out with an injury for this matchup.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The Suns will look to continue their push for a top-6 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, while the Jazz will continue their quest for lottery balls and a high draft pick.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the stark contrast between a playoff-bound team in Phoenix fighting for seeding and a rebuilding squad in Utah that has completely given up on the current season. The Suns' ability to win handily without two key players also demonstrated their depth and versatility as they jockey for position in the Western Conference.