Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Bounces back in win over Dallas
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Markkanen registered 26 points (9-19 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 4-5 FT), seven rebounds and an assist across 29 minutes in Thursday's 107-102 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Markkanen needed a strong performance as a confidence booster following a woeful shooting effort against the Rockets on Monday, and that's exactly what happened here. The star forward led all players in scoring and showed he's ready for the start of the regular-season opener against Memphis on Oct. 23. Markkanen averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.2 three-pointers and 2.0 assists in 33.1 minutes per game over 55 regular-season appearances in 2023-24.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Struggles vs. Houston
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Markkanen finished with 17 points (3-11 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 11-13 FT), four rebounds and an assist across 24 minutes in Monday's 122-113 preseason win over the Rockets.
On the surface, Markkanen's stat line looked good, as he led the Jazz in scoring in this preseason win. However, he would've had a woeful performance hadn't it been for his 13 trips to the charity stripe. One positive aspect is that Markkanen is finding ways to get the job done even when his shot isn't falling, and it's not like the preseason numbers will have any impact on his role as the Jazz's primary offensive threat ahead of the regular-season opener vs. Memphis on Oct. 23.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Solid in preseason opener
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Markkanen registered 13 points (5-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and three rebounds across 16 minutes in Friday's 116-87 preseason win over the Breakers.
Markkanen was the only member of the starting unit who didn't reach the 15-minute plateau, but he didn't need to play much to leave his mark on the game as one of six Utah players who scored in double digits. Markkanen signed a five-year, $238 million contract extension with the Jazz in early August and will operate as the team's go-to player on offense as long as he stays healthy. He averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.2 three-pointers and 2.0 assists in 33.1 minutes per game over 55 regular-season appearances in 2023-24.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Cleared to play
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Markkanen (shoulder) will be a full participant in training camp this week, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Markkanen missed Utah's final nine games of the 2023-24 season, and he wasn't able to play for the Finnish national team during the 2024 FIBA Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July. He has a clean bill of health now, however, and he will be returning as the focal point of Utah's offense after securing a five-year, $238 million contract extension with the Jazz.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Reaches extension with Utah
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Marrkanen (shoulder) agreed to a five-year, $238 million contract extension with the Jazz on Wednesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
The extension includes a renegotiation of his 2024-25 salary, with Markkanen earning another $24 million on top of the $18 million he was already fully guaranteed. With the extension, Markkanen will not be eligible to be traded prior to the Feb. 6 deadline, so the forward could be in store for a long-term stay in Utah. Markkanen will be a popular target early on in fantasy drafts during the upcoming season after averaging 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.2 three-pointers, 2.0 assists in 33.1 minutes per game over 55 appearances in 2023-24.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Will sign extension with Utah
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Markkanen (shoulder) is expected to sign a long-term extension with the Jazz, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports Tuesday.
One of the most coveted trade targets on the market is now staying put, and a deal could be signed as soon as Wednesday. Markkanen would therefore be ineligible to be traded during the 2024-25 season, and the deal will keep him on the books through 2029. While specifics aren't known yet, Charania is reporting that the deal is expected to be upwards of $200 million which would make this the richest contract in Jazz history. Over the last two campaigns with the Jazz, Markkanen compiled regular-season averages of 24.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Out for FIBA Qualifying Tournament
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Markkanen (shoulder) will not play for Finland during the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July, Evan Sidery of Forbes Sports reports.
Markkanen is still rehabbing a right shoulder injury which forced him out of Utah's last nine games. The 27-year-old will not rush his recovery to play in the qualifier, as he is expected to return to on-court activities in August. Markkanen played in 55 games for the Jazz last season, averaging 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 48.0 percent from the field.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: To be re-evaluated in two weeks
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Markkanen (shoulder) will be re-evaluated in two weeks, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Markkanen continues to experience discomfort, and an MRI confirmed that he aggravated his previous right shoulder impingement. With just a little over two weeks remaining in the season, it's very possible that his regular season is over. At best, he could return for the finale on April 14, but there won't be much incentive to rush him back. Guys like Taylor Hendricks, Brice Sensabaugh and Johnny Juzang could see a bump in playing time with this news.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Sitting out Friday
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Markkanen (shoulder) won't play in Friday's matchup with the Rockets.
Markkanen will be sidelined for the second time in four games due to right shoulder soreness. In Markkanen's absence, Johnny Juzang and Brice Sensabaugh will presumably see extended roles. Markkanen's next chance to suit up will come Sunday against the Kings.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Questionable for Friday
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Markkanen is questionable for Friday's game against the Rockets due to right shoulder soreness, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
This is the first we're hearing of a shoulder injury for Markkanen, but we'll have a better idea of his status for Friday night based on his activity level at shootaround. If he is forced to the sidelines, that would open up minutes for Johnny Juzang (back) and Brice Sensabaugh.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Massive workload in loss
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Markkanen ended Wednesday's 118-111 loss to the Spurs with 25 points (8-17 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 6-6 FT), six rebounds, two assists and one steal across 42 minutes.
Markkanen's team-high 42 minutes marked his second-most playing time in a game this season. This is encouraging, considering the 26-year-old forward has missed eight of Utah's last 12 contests. Since the beginning of 2024, Markkanen has been shooting 42.0 percent on 7.7 three-point attempts per game.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Cleared to play vs. San Antonio
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Markkanen (quadriceps) is available for Wednesday's game against the Spurs.
Markkanen was questionable for Wednesday's matchup due to a right quadriceps contusion, but he'll be able to suit up for the fifth time this month. He's been productive when on the court recently, averaging 25.7 points and 7.3 rebounds in 33.7 minutes per game over his last three appearances. It seems as though he'll be able to handle a sizable workload Wednesday despite his recent absences.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Cleared to play Monday
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Markkanen (quadriceps) is available for Monday's game against the Mavericks.
Markkanen will suit up for just the third time since March 2 as he continues to deal with a right quad contusion. Over his last two appearances, he's totaled 43 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, four steals and a block in 67 minutes.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Questionable for Monday
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Markkanen (quadriceps) is questionable for Monday's game against Dallas.
Markkanen sat out Saturday against the Rockets due to right quadriceps contusion injury management, but he'll have a chance to return to action Monday. If he's sidelined again, Brice Sensabaugh and Johnny Juzang could see additional playing time.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Ruled out for Saturday
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Markkanen has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Rockets for right quadricep contusion injury maintenance.
Markkanen will be held out of Saturday's contest after logging 36 minutes in Thursday's loss to the Mavericks. With Jordan Clarkson (groin) also out, look for Brice Sensabaugh and Johnny Juzang to absorb most of the minutes at small forward. Markkanen should be cleared to suit up for Utah's upcoming matchup with Dallas on Monday.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Not on injury report
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Markkanen (quadriceps) isn't on the injury report for Thursday's game against the Mavericks.
Markkanen sat out Wednesday against the Thunder due to quadriceps contusion management, but he'll be back in action for the second half of the back-to-back set. In his return to action Monday against the Timberwolves, he tallied 22 points, 12 rebounds, two steals, an assist and a block in 31 minutes.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Won't play Wednesday
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Markkanen is out for Wednesday's game versus the Thunder due to quadriceps contusion maintenance, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
It doesn't appear that Markkanen has suffered a serious injury, but he will be held out of the first leg of Utah's back-to-back Wednesday. Brice Sensabaugh, Luka Samanic and Taylor Hendricks are candidates to receive increased playing time in his absence. Markkannen's next chance to suit up will be Thursday's matchup with Dallas.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Tallies 20-10 game in return
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Markkanen (quadricep) closed with 22 points (8-16 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 12 rebounds, two steals, one assist and one block across 31 minutes during Monday's 114-104 loss to the Timberwolves.
Markkanen made his return from a six-game absence due to a right quad contusion and didn't seem to be facing any limitations, as he took on a normal minutes load while pacing Utah with a 35.1 percent usage rate. The Finnish forward should remain a high-end contributor when he's available, though with the 29-39 Jazz fading from the playoff picture, it wouldn't be surprising if Markkanen missed time due to rest or due to a minor injury over Utah's final 14 games of the season.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Cleared to play
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Markkanen (quadriceps) is available for Monday's game against the Timberwolves, Alan Horton of the Timberwolves Radio Network reports.
Markkanen was tagged as a game-time call leading up to Monday's tipoff, but he's ultimately been given the green light to suit up after missing his team's last six contests. It's possible the Arizona product could be on a minutes restriction considering he hasn't seen live action since Mar. 2.
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Jazz's Lauri Markkanen: Questionable for Monday
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Markkanen (quadriceps) is questionable for Monday's game against the Timberwolves.
Markkanen has missed the last six games due to a right quadriceps contusion that now has his status in question for Monday. The seventh-year pro seems to be trending in the right direction, however, as he returned to practice on Mar. 13 and was given a questionable tag instead of being immediately ruled out for the first time since his injury. If he is ultimately unable to go, Brice Sensabaugh and Talen Horton-Tucker will likely see extended minutes.
