Utah Jazz guard Talen Horton-Tucker (0) shoots against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Wednesday, March 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Talen Horton-Tucker scored a career-high 41 points and the Utah Jazz defeated the Spurs 128-117 on Wednesday night in what could have been coach Gregg Popovich’s final home game in San Antonio. Utah snapped a four-game skid to keep its fading playoff hopes alive in its first season under Will Hardy, who served five seasons under Popovich as an assistant coach. “I’m probably not the right person to ask and, at this point, I’m not sure he’s the right person to ask either,” Hardy said about Popovich’s possible retirement. Popovich has given no indication that he is retiring or even that he will return for his 28th season. The annual speculation has intensified, though, especially since the 74-year-old coach allowed his expected induction this summer into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame after years of refusing to even be nominated. The Spurs have two home games remaining, but those will be played 73 miles away in Austin’s new Moody Center. “It’s something that is real,

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) goes to the basket as Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 27, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Devin Booker scored 24 points and Phoenix reserves sparked the decisive run for the Suns in a 117-103 win over the fading Utah Jazz on Monday night. “Our bench came in and changed the dynamic of the game from a physicality standpoint, getting stops. That allowed us to get out in transition,” Phoenix coach Monty Williams said. Deandre Ayton had 14 points after missing four games with a bruised hip. But a trio off the bench was pivotal for Phoenix: Terrence Ross had 13 points, Cameron Payne added 12 and Bismack Biyombo scored 11. They helped the Suns to a 57-25 advantage in bench points. “The bench is starting to come together. We are getting a better rhythm and groove, and when we come into the game we’re bringing a different level of energy,” Ross said. The Suns (40-35) had lost four in a row on the road. But with this victory they sit more securely in

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) shoots from between Sacramento Kings forward Trey Lyles, left, and forward Keegan Murray during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, March 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Randall Benton) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Kevin Huerter scored a team-high 27 points and the Sacramento Kings beat the Utah Jazz 121-113 on Saturday night. Domantas Sabonis finished with 16 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists for his NBA-leading 60th double-double of the season. Harrison Barnes added 18 points. Huerter added seven rebounds and four assists for the Kings (45-29). “We need to win … this time of the year,” Kings coach Mike Brown said. “We had a lot of great performances.” Keegan Murray scored 14 of his 22 total points in the first quarter and knocked down six three-pointers for the Kings. Murray is four three-pointers away from breaking Donovan Mitchell’s single-season record for three-pointers made in a rookie season. “I think it’s great because it comes in the flow of our offense,” Murray said about the record. “I don’t do anything special. We have a lot of playmakers in our offense. I just knock down shots.” Jazz rookie Walker Kessler scored a