Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Earns Most Improved Player Award
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Markkanen has been named the 2022-23 NBA Most Improved Player, Sarah Todd of The Deseret News reports.
Markkanen showed significant improvement since his 2021 campaign with the Cavs, as he earned his first All-Star Game selection and was later named a starter. He averaged 14.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists over 61 appearances for the Cavs a year ago compared to 25.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists over 66 contests this season with the Jazz. That includes 28 double-doubles (versus three in 2021-22) and 16 30-point performances (compared to just one in 2021-22). Markkanen earned 69 out of a possible 100 first-place votes.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Out Sunday
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Markkanen (hand) will remain on the sidelines for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Lakers.
With Markkanen again watching from the sidelines Sunday, Ochai Agbaji should continue to take the lead on offense and there will be more minutes available for Simone Fontecchio and Luka Samanic. Agbaji is the most attractive target out of that group.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Won't play Saturday
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Markkanen (hand) has been ruled out for Saturday's contest against the Nuggets, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Markkanen will miss a third straight game due to a bruised hand, and with the Jazz out of the playoff picture, it would be surprising to see him suit up for Utah's regular-season finale Sunday against the Lakers. The 2017 first-round pick had a breakout campaign during his first season with Utah, posting a career-high 25.6 points over 66 contests.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Out again Thursdsay
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Markkanen (hand) won't play in Thursday's game against the Thunder.
Markkanen will miss a second straight game with a bruised left hand. The All-Star forward has now sat out seven of Utah's last 10 games, which should allow for Talen Horton-Tucker, Ochai Agbaji and Luka Samanic to see increased roles once again. Markkanen's next chance to play will come Saturday against the Nuggets.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Won't play Tuesday
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Markkanen (hand) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Lakers, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Markkanen has missed five of Utah's past eight contests and will be sidelined again Tuesday due to a lingering hand injury. In his absence, Talen Horton-Tucker, Simone Fontecchio, Ochai Agbaji and Luka Samanic could see increased roles.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Questionable Tuesday
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Markkanen is questionable for Tuesday's matchup against the Lakers due to a left hand contusion, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Markkanen made his return Sunday after missing two straight games due to the same hand injury, finishing with 23 points (8-21 FG, 1-8 3Pt, 6-6 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and two steals in 35 minutes. If the All-Star forward is unable to suit up Tuesday, Simone Fontecchio emerges as the main candidate to start in Markkanen's place.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Scores 23 points in return
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Markkanen contributed 23 points (8-21 FG, 1-8 3Pt, 6-6 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and two steals in 35 minutes during Sunday's 111-110 loss to the Nets.
Markkanen delivered a solid outing in his return following a two-game absence and came just one rebound away from posting a double-double. The forward has missed five of Utah's last 10 games due to a nagging hand injury, but he has been very productive when available, scoring at least 23 points and grabbing at least eight rebounds in each of the remaining five contests in that span. Markkanen is averaging 29.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game since the All-Star break.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Available to play
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Markkanen (hand) will be available to play Sunday against the Nets.
Markkanen is back after a two-game stint on the sidelines, so he should return to his usual role in the first unit, which will likely shift Simone Fontecchio back to the bench. Make sure you've got Markkanen active for a favorable matchup against the Nets.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Status uncertain Sunday
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Markkanen (hand) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Nets.
Markkanen is in danger of missing his third straight contest Sunday with left hand soreness. Simone Fontecchio will likely continue to start if Markkanen's ruled out once again.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Won't play against Boston
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Markkanen (hand) is out for Friday's game versus the Celtics.
Markkanen will miss his second straight game Friday due to left hand soreness. Simone Fontecchio figures to draw another start in his absence. Markkanen's next chance to suit up is Sunday's matchup with the Nets.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Downgraded to out
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Markkanen (hand) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Spurs, Sarah Todd of The Deseret News reports.
Markkanen will be sidelined for the third time over Utah's past four games due to a hand injury. With Rudy Gay (back) also out, Simone Fontecchio (toe) and Juan Toscano-Anderson are candidates for increased roles versus San Antonio. Markkanen's next chance to suit up will come Friday in Boston.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Questionable Wednesday
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Markkanen (hand) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Spurs, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Markkanen struggled from the field in his return from a two-game absence Monday against the Suns, but he still ended up with 25 points on 22 shots, plus nine rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes. However, it appears he's dealing with soreness following the loss, so he may need to sit out again.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Drops 25 points in return
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Markkanen (hand) ended with 25 points (6-22 FG, 2-10 3Pt, 11-12 FT), nine rebounds and two assists across 36 minutes during Monday's 117-103 loss to Phoenix.
Markkanen was back on the floor Monday after missing two straight games due to a hand injury. With the Jazz slightly behind the pace in the bid for the 10th seed in the Western Conference, Markkanen could be a shutdown candidate if the team prioritizes the health of key players, but Utah has yet to clarify its plans one way or the other. For now, fantasy managers should keep an eye on Markkanen's status on a game-by-game basis, though the forward should continue to produce at a high level whenever he's active.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Active Monday
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Markkanen (hand) is available for Monday's contest against the Suns.
After missing each of the Jazz's previous two games, Markkanen is officially available for Utah on Monday. The Arizona product has recorded at least 25 points in five out of his last six appearances, averaging 30.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists across 35.7 minutes per game over that stretch.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Will be a game-time call
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Markkanen (hand) is a game-time call against the Suns on Monday according toEric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune.
Markkanen was spotted getting some shots up at the morning shootaround which is a good sign. Markkanen playing would be a relief for the Jazz, especially since Simone Fontecchio has been ruled out with a toe issue.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Questionable Monday
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Markkanen (hand) is questionable for Monday's game against the Suns, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Markkanen has missed the last two games due to a hand injury, but it's possible he'll be able to return to the court for Monday's matchup. If he remains out, Simone Fontecchio and Talen Horton-Tucker should continue to see increased run.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Still out Saturday
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Markkanen (hand) will not play in Saturday's game against the Kings, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Markkanen sat out the opening leg of the back-to-back set Friday nursing a bruised left hand he sustained in Wednesday's game. Although there was optimism he may return for the tail end of the two-game series, he will end up watching Saturday's game from the sidelines. Talen Horton Tucker, Ochai Agbaji and Simone Fontecchio are likely candidates to see increased roles. Markkanen's next chance to play will come Monday against the Suns.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Ruled out Friday
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Markkanen (hand) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Milwaukee.
Markkanen suffered a left hand contusion in the third quarter of Wednesday's loss to the Trail Blazers, but he remained in the game and underwent X-rays afterward that came back clean. He had a strong showing with 40 points, 12 rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes but will be forced to miss at least one game due to his injury. Ochai Agbaji, Simone Fontecchio and Talen Horton-Tucker are candidates to see increased run against the Bucks, while it's not yet clear whether Markkanen will be able to return Saturday against the Kings.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: May be nursing hand injury
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Markkanen suffered an apparent left hand injury in the third quarter of Wednesday's 127-115 loss to the Trail Blazers, but he was able to remain in the game and said afterward that X-rays administered on his hand returned clean, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
The Finnish big man sustained the injury when he was hit on the hand by the Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford with 3:06 remaining in the quarter. Markkanen stayed on the court for a few moments and was flexing his hand, but he proceeded to make both of his free-throw attempts before checking out of the contest 30 seconds later. He then returned to the contest to play six minutes in the fourth quarter, finishing the night with 40 points (14-23 FG, 4-12 3Pt, 8-9 FT), 12 rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes. Markkanen, who had missed the Jazz's previous game with a tight back, said that he'll wait and see how he feels Thursday before speculating on his availability for Friday's game against the Bucks, so fantasy managers will want to keep tabs on Utah's injury report over the next 24 hours.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Explodes for 40 points
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Markkanen posted 40 points (14-23 FG, 4-12 3Pt, 8-9 FT), 12 rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes during Wednesday's 127-115 loss to Portland.
Though his back injury kept him out of Monday's game, Markkanen showed no ill effects during his 33 minutes of court time. The 40-point output marked Markkanen's third-best scoring total of the season. Despite recently missing time with injuries, Markkanen is enjoying an excellent March, averaging 29.0 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.3 treys and 2.3 assists over seven games.
