The Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah guard Mark Jackson passed Cincinnati Royals great Oscar Robertson for third place on the NBA career assists list Tuesday night against the Phoenix Suns.

"It's a tremendous blessing," said Jackson, who had four assists in the Jazz's 99-76 win. "I realize what Oscar Robertson has meant to the game and the player he was. It truly is an honor."

Jackson needed just one assist to tie Robertson's 9,887. He got it with an alley-oop pass to Andrei Kirilenko in the first quarter. On the Jazz's next possession, Jackson fed Karl Malone for a baseline jump shot that moved Jackson ahead of the Big O.

Jackson now has 9,890 assists. Teammate John Stockton is the all-time leader with 15,259. Magic Johnson is second.

Jackson received a standing ovation from the Delta Center crowd when the accomplishment was announced during a timeout.

"I've got to give a lot of credit to they guys I've played with over the course of the years and have made me look better than I am," Jackson said.