Markkanen 1st Jazz player to top 50 since Malone

""As long as you're mentally not tired, and kind of force yourself out of that mindset that you're tired, and then you can push through whatever you need to," Markkanen said."

""The game is slower now," said Markkanen, who topped his previous best of 49 points set Jan. 5, 2023. "You get hungrier as it happens, so hopefully, it's not the last.""

""I never think about, I'm going to go for 50, but obviously, when it's overtime, and you're at 47 and they start fouling, you start think there's a there's a good chance that it's going to happen," said Markkanen, who also grabbed 14 rebounds and became the first player in Jazz history with at least 50 points, 10 rebounds and 5 made 3-pointers in a game."

""Just wanted to get it to Lauri in space. Just putting the ball in our playmakers' hands and let them be themselves," George said. "We are empowering him more.""

Lauri Markkanen scored a career-high 51 points in a 138-134 overtime win over the Phoenix Suns, delivering the Utah Jazz's first 50-point game since Karl Malone's 56 in 1998. He played 45 minutes, made six 3-pointers, grabbed 14 rebounds, and went 17-for-17 from the free-throw line, tying the franchise record for most free throws without a miss. Markkanen became the first Jazz player with at least 50 points, 10 rebounds and five made 3-pointers in a game. Keyonte George added 26 points and 10 assists, frequently finding Markkanen in space. Markkanen attributed the performance to improved mental toughness and a slower-paced game.

Read at ESPN.com