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Lauri Markkanen Listed as Questionable on Tuesday
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (wrist) is questionable for Tuesday's matchup with the Miami Heat due to a right wrist sprain. Markkanen missed Sunday's loss to Minnesota after aggravating the same wrist issue that first surfaced Oct. 26 against Memphis. Before sitting out, the 29-year-old scored 24 points with eight rebounds and eight three-pointers Friday in Dallas. Josh Green started in his place Sunday and could remain with the first unit if Markkanen sits again, while Brice Sensabaugh and Josh Okogie would also be candidates for extra minutes. Utah hosts Orlando on Wednesday, so Markkanen's status is worth tracking closely on the back-to-back.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Lauri Markkanen Sidelined Against Minnesota
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (wrist) is out for Sunday's matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to Eric Spyropoulos. Markkanen sprained the wrist Oct. 26 against Memphis and has played through discomfort since returning. The 29-year-old still buried eight three-pointers for all 24 of his points Friday in Dallas and is averaging 18.0 points and 6.8 rebounds this season. With Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) and Jusuf Nurkic (foot) already sidelined, Josh Green could move into the starting lineup, while Ace Bailey and Brice Sensabaugh may also have more offense available.
Source: Eric Spyropoulos
Source: Eric Spyropoulos
Lauri Markkanen Carries Questionable Tag for Sunday
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (wrist) is questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Markkanen originally sprained the wrist Oct. 26 against Memphis and missed one game before returning, but he was seen favoring it again late in Friday's 112-100 loss to Dallas. The 29-year-old still knocked down eight three-pointers and finished with 24 points, so the issue did not slow his perimeter shooting that night. If Markkanen sits, Utah could spread his minutes across several wings and forwards, with Brice Sensabaugh and Josh Green among the players who could take on larger roles. Kyle Filipowski might also see additional frontcourt work with Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) already sidelined.
Source: Eric Spyropoulos
Source: Eric Spyropoulos
Lauri Markkanen Questionable Against Portland
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (wrist) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Markkanen sprained his wrist early in Monday's loss to Memphis and sat out Wednesday's overtime defeat to San Antonio. The 29-year-old had averaged 20.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists through three games before the injury. Utah is already without Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) and Jusuf Nurkic (foot), so another Markkanen absence would leave plenty of work for Ace Bailey. Keyonte George should also remain heavily involved after scoring 31 points Wednesday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Lauri Markkanen Ruled Out Against Spurs
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (wrist) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the San Antonio Spurs with a right wrist sprain. The 29-year-old was initially considered day-to-day after leaving Monday's loss to Memphis and will now miss his first full game since the injury. Markkanen had scored 28 points with five threes against the Lakers on Sunday. With Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) also sidelined, Ace Bailey should see a bigger share of the offense after posting 17 points and 10 rebounds Monday, while Brice Sensabaugh could also pick up more shots on the wing.
Source: Paul Garcia
Source: Paul Garcia
Lauri Markkanen Day-To-Day With Wrist Sprain
According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (wrist) is considered day-to-day with a right wrist sprain. Markkanen sustained the injury in the first quarter of Monday's 110-105 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. With Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) expected to miss six to eight weeks, Utah's frontcourt rotation is suddenly depleted. If Markkanen misses time, Ace Bailey could see more scoring opportunities, while Mo Bamba and Kyle Filipowski could take on expanded frontcourt roles.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Jaren Jackson Jr. Out 6-8 Weeks With Torn MCL
Shams Charania of ESPN reports that Utah Jazz forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) has been diagnosed with a torn MCL in his right knee and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. Jackson did not return to Monday's 110-105 loss to Memphis after suffering the injury in the second quarter. The former Defensive Player of the Year joins Lauri Markkanen (wrist) and Jusuf Nurkic (foot) on the sidelines. With Utah's frontcourt severely depleted, Mo Bamba could take on a much larger role after posting 14 points, seven rebounds and four blocks Monday.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Jaren Jackson Jr. Exits Monday's Loss with Right-Knee Injury
Utah Jazz forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) did not return to Monday's 110-105 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies after suffering a right knee injury in the second quarter. Jackson went down when Ty Jerome fell into his leg and finished with six points, three rebounds and two assists in 10 minutes. The former Defensive Player of the Year will undergo an MRI Tuesday after opening the season with averages of 19.7 points and 5.7 rebounds. With Lauri Markkanen (wrist) and Jusuf Nurkic (foot) also sidelined, Mo Bamba could take on a much larger role after posting 14 points, seven rebounds and four blocks Monday.
Source: Utah Jazz
Source: Utah Jazz
Lauri Markkanen Exits with Right-Wrist Injury
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (wrist) did not return to Monday's 110-105 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies after injuring his right wrist in the first quarter. Markkanen's arm got caught between Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) and Cameron Boozer, ending his night with two points in six minutes. Head coach Will Hardy said the 29-year-old will undergo imaging Tuesday, leaving his status for Wednesday against San Antonio uncertain. Ace Bailey should see more scoring opportunities if Markkanen misses time after posting 17 points and 10 rebounds Monday, while Mo Bamba could also stay heavily involved after a 14-point, four-block performance.
Source: Utah Jazz
Source: Utah Jazz
Lauri Markkanen Leads Jazz with 17 Points in Preseason Opener
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen scored a game-high 17 points in 16 minutes during Sunday's 109-97 preseason win over the Denver Nuggets. He shot 5-for-12 from the field, 3-for-7 from three, and 4-for-4 at the line while adding two rebounds and one steal. The 29-year-old averaged 26.7 points and 2.7 threes last season but appeared in only 42 games and didn't play after Feb. 23. Utah has added more scoring around him with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Darryn Peterson, but Markkanen's role remains secure. Staying healthy is still the biggest issue for his fantasy value.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Jaren Jackson Jr. Steps Into Bigger Frontcourt Role
Utah Jazz forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. spent most of the summer training in Salt Lake City after left knee surgery limited him to three games with the team following February's blockbuster trade, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. The former Defensive Player of the Year is expected to be a key frontcourt piece as Utah tries to move out of lottery mode. Walker Kessler's move to the Lakers should push Jackson into more center minutes, with Jusuf Nurkic also in the mix. That could help revive Jackson's shot-blocking after he dipped to 1.4 blocks per game last season, well below the 3.0 he averaged in 2022-23. The scoring outlook is less clean, with Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, and No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson all needing touches, so Jackson's fantasy value may lean more on blocks, rebounds, and efficiency than high-end usage.
Source: Tim MacMahon
Source: Tim MacMahon
Jaren Jackson Jr. Excited for First Jazz Offseason
Utah Jazz forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. opened up about his trade from Memphis and his first offseason in Utah during a recent podcast appearance. "I'm really excited, honestly. I've been in Utah a lot this summer," Jackson said, per KSL Sports. The former Defensive Player of the Year arrived in a February blockbuster but played only three games for Utah before a PVNS growth in his left knee required season-ending surgery. With Walker Kessler now in Los Angeles, Jackson should have a major frontcourt role next to Lauri Markkanen and Jusuf Nurkic, while rookie guard Darryn Peterson gives the Jazz another creator. Jackson's points, threes, and blocks remain fantasy-friendly, but his knee updates will matter before draft day.
Source: KSL Sports
Source: KSL Sports
Lauri Markkanen Drops 23 Points to Lead Finland Past Hungary
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen poured in a game-high 23 points, adding four rebounds and two assists, to lead Finland past Hungary 85-77 in the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers. The Finnisher shot 7-for-14 from the field and got to the line at will, giving his national team a reliable No. 1 option down the stretch and showing his scoring travels against physical international defenses. The fantasy takeaway, though, is more complicated than the box score. Markkanen is a gifted scorer, coming off a career-high 26.7 points per game, but he suited up for just 42 contests last season because Utah tanked and sat him down the stretch, drawing a $500,000 league fine. Add in perennial trade chatter, and the Jazz situation, not his talent, is the real fantasy variable. Value the scoring, but discount it for the games Utah may not let him play.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Kevin Love Could Join the Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly interested in a reunion between LeBron James and Kevin Love this summer. According to Marc J. Spears, the Lakers would like to bring back one of James' old teammates from Cleveland. The duo played together on the Cavaliers from 2014 to 2018. The 37-year-old isn't quite the same player as he was during his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves or Cavs. Love could be a good veteran presence and someone who could contribute off the bench. The assumption is that he'd join the Lakers on a veteran minimum for an opportunity to get a ring with his old teammate.
Source: Marc J. Spears
Source: Marc J. Spears
