Markkanen scores 34 points and Sexton hits 4 4th-quarter 3s to help Jazz bury Knicks 121-106

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Lauri Markkanen had 34 points, Collin Sexton had four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and the Utah Jazz ran past the New York Knicks 121-106 on Saturday to snap a four-game skid.

Sexton finished 25 points and John Collins had 20 points and 13 rebounds forthe Jazz.

OG Anunoby scored a season-high 27 points, Jalen Brunson scored 23 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 16 points and 16 rebounds for the Knicks, who shot 39% from the field and lost for the first time in five games.

New York cut the lead to eight in the fourth quarter, but the Jazz responded with 10 consecutive points, capped by Johnny Juzang's 3-pointer to make it 104-86 with 6:16 remaining.

New York's Miles McBride sat out with a knee injury.

Knicks: The Knicks are a top team in the league on offense but when the shots aren't falling, they are hampered by a bottom-10 ranking in most defensive metrics. They were slow on switches and rotations until playing some inspired defense at times in the second half, but it was too late.

Jazz: Rookie Kyle Filipowski was out with a sore ankle, but regular starting center Walker Kessler returned to the lineup and had 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. He was disruptive in the paint, changing shots and forcing difficult passes.

In the final minute of the second quarter, the Knicks missed three jumpers while Markkanen made a 3, Kessler had a fast-break layup and Keyonte George hit a floater just before the buzzer to give the Jazz a 66-51 halftime lead.

Towns was shooting 50% from 3-point range this season but went 0 for 7 against the Jazz, the first time he hadn't made a 3 in nine games.

The Knicks continue their five-game road trip Monday night at Denver. Utah hosts San Antonio on Tuesday night.

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

Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) goes to the hoop between New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) blocks a shot from Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)

Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson, right, drives against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) dunks over New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) goes to the hoop between New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, left, and guard Josh Hart during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen goes to the hoop ahead of New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Snoop Dogg strolled in wearing a jacket with JuJu Watkins’ name and number on the front and back. Michael B. Jordan thrilled a USC woman fan with an impromptu autograph during a timeout.

The stars came out to Saturday’s showdown between Watkins and third-ranked Southern California and No. 6 Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish won 74-61 to remain undefeated in the nationally televised game.

“Yeah, I saw them but I’m not so focused on that. I’m focused on winning with my team,” Fighting Irish star Hannah Hidalgo said. "I came into the game knowing this was going to be a big hoopla game, which I appreciate, and they were going to bring in all the celebrities and all the fans they needed.”

Actor Jason Sudeikis, who frequents college and WNBA games with one or more of his kids, sat courtside.

Jordan, who was People's “Sexiest Man Alive” in 2020, was shown on the videoboard, which then moved to a woman wearing a USC sweatshirt who held up a smoldering double-truck magazine image of the “Black Panther” actor.

The crowd roared, Jordan smiled and mimicked an autograph to indicate he'd sign the photo. With the resident DJ egging her on, the woman climbed out of the stands and met Jordan at his seat. He leaned in to ask her name above the din, signed the image and the two embraced as the Galen Center crowd of 7,894 cheered.

“For LA being the center of women’s basketball universe this weekend is really special,” USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. “Look at this building, the sellout, the star power that’s here.”

Among them were a who’s-who of women’s hoops past and present, including Hall of Famer Cheryl Miller, Candace Parker, Cameron Brink, Chiney Ogwumike and Dearica Hamby. Phoenix Suns player Oso Ighodaro was there, too.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

Actor Jason Sudeikis attends an NCAA college basketball game between Southern California and Notre Dame, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Snoop Dogg attends an NCAA college basketball game between Southern California and Notre Dame, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Actor Michael B. Jordan, center, sits on the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Southern California and Notre Dame Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)