HomeBasketball TodayLauri Markkanen's Jazz career takes a hit with knee injury from collision...

Lauri Markkanenโ€™s Jazz career takes a hit with knee injury from collision with Victor Wembanyama

advertisement

The Utah Jazz suffered through another rough night at the office against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. Not only did the Jazz drop to 4-13 with a 128-115 loss to Victor Wembanyama and Co., but they lost star Lauri Markkanen in the process to a left knee contusion.

Markkanen got hurt in the fourth quarter after a knee-to-knee collision with Wembanyama. The Jazz star had to be helped off the court and into the locker room. Jazz head coach Will Hardy confirmed the contusion after the game, per NBA.com.

Utah hasnโ€™t yet released an injury report for Wednesday nightโ€™s game against the Denver Nuggets, so itโ€™s unclear what Markkanenโ€™s status will be. Given itโ€™s a back-to-back this early in the season and the Jazz arenโ€™t exactly prioritizing winning right now, it would be a surprise if the Finnish forward suits up.

Markkanen has already missed three games this season for Utah. He has also seen his overall numbers dip a bit after blossoming into an All-Star talent in recent years, which led to him signing a massive $238 million contract extension this past offseason after trade talks. Just two seasons ago, the big man put up 25.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Those averages dropped slightly to 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game last season but now sit at 19.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game so far in 2024-25.

Read also:   Suns Lock in Grayson Allen with $70 Million Deal Before Playoff Push

Where do Lauri Markkanen, Jazz go from here?

Related Utah Jazz NewsArticle continues below

The hope is Lauri Markkanenโ€™s knee injury isnโ€™t serious. But whether heโ€™s healthy or not, the Jazz are very clearly one of the teams that will be at the front of the line in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. At 4-13, Utah is the second-worst team in the Western Conference and sitting at fifth in the Tankathon standings.

With his fat extension in tow, Markkanen is a franchise cornerstone, but heโ€™s not a clear No. 1 guy on a contender and needs way more help. Walker Kessler is a solid center, but his name has been in trade rumors. Keyonte George is a promising youngster who has shown flashes but is still quite raw. 2023 lottery pick Taylor Hendricks is out with a season-ending injury. There are a bunch of veterans like John Collins, Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton who are trade candidates.

The Jazz will look to get a true centerpiece in the upcoming draft, whether thatโ€™s Flagg or somebody else. For now, cross your fingers on the Lauri Markkanen injury front.


advertisement


Source link
advertisement

RELATED ARTICLES
advertisement

Also Read