Losing eight of its last 10, the Utah Jazz have struggled mightily as it is 5-18 and the third worst team in the NBA.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!While nothing seems to be going right for the team this season, superstar Lauri Markkanen has been a steady contributor for the Jazz and will play against the Phoenix Suns tonight despite dealing with a lower back injury.
Jazz Injury Report:
*AVAILABLE – Jordan Clarkson (left plantar fasciitis)
*AVAILABLE – Lauri Markkanen (low back injury management) https://t.co/n2MpUQhOMW
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 14, 2024
Ever since he arrived in Utah in 2022 as part of a trade that saw Donovan Mitchell head to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Markkanen has been undoubtedly the Jazz’s most important player. Winning the NBA Most Improved Player award two seasons ago in 2023, the former University of Arizona forward is averaging 18.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and a career-high 2.3 assists per game.
Dealing with the lingering effects of this injury, Markkanen has seen his numbers dip as a result. He collected 25.8 points and 8.6 rebounds during his MIP season in 2022-23 and 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds a year ago.
Even though Markkanen is doing all he can, there is just not enough talent for the Jazz to compete at the moment.
Utah has a bunch of former NBA Draft Lottery picks over the past few years since trading Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, but the team still hasn’t clicked through the rebuilding stage. Taylor Hendricks (No. 9 pick in 2023) has split time between the NBA and G League, Keyonte George (No. 16 pick in 2023) has been inconsistent and Cody Williams (No. 10 pick in 2024) was recently demoted to the G League.
Last time these two teams clashed, the Suns won 120-112 on Nov. 12 in the NBA Cup without Kevin Durant. Devin Booker scored 31 points and Bradley Beal added 24.
Missing the past seven games, sharpshooter Jordan Clarkson (left plantar fasciitis) will also suit up for Utah. Hendricks (right fibula fracture) is out for the rest of the season while Svi Mykhailiuk (left groin strain) is sidelined for tonight’s matchup.
After a three-game absence, Durant (left ankle sprain) will also return for the Suns. Ryan Dunn (left ankle soreness), Jusuf Nurkić (right thigh contusion) and former Jazz forward Grayson Allen (ankle) are all coming back from injury as well.
But just as players were getting warmed up, news came out that Beal (right knee swelling) is questionable per Arizona Republic‘s Duane Rankin.
“Suns guard Bradley Beal is now listed as questionable with right knee swelling,” Rankin said. “Bradley Beal had left shootaround earlier than the rest of the team with Suns staff.”
Bradley Beal had left shootaround earlier than the rest of the team with Suns staff. #Suns https://t.co/n2bbRfaoeA
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 14, 2024
The Suns and Jazz go head-to-head on Friday at 7:30 p.m. MST in Utah.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Suns, ASU Athletics and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
