Markkanen, Clarkson Out As Jazz Face Thunder
Mar 20, 2024, 2:27 PM
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz will be shorthanded when they face the Oklahoma City Thunder to open a three-game road trip.
The Jazz will be without Lauri Markkanen (quad injury management) and Jordan Clarkson (groin), while John Collins is listed as questionable (face contusion).
Two-way contract players Johnny Juzang, Jason Preston, and Micah Potter have all been recalled from the G League to fill out the Jazz’s rotation.
Jazz Nearing Worst Stretch In Over A Decade
Sitting at 3-13 since the trade deadline the Jazz are in the midst of their worst stretch of basketball since Donovan Mitchell’s first year with the team.
The 2017-18 roster had a 3-13 stretch through early December and into January before rallying to make the playoffs and winning their opening-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“Everyday I’m learning something new.”
the rookie-vet connection between Key and Kris is strong, and it’s helping the rook grow his game 🤝#PracticeInterviews | @ZionsBank
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 19, 2024
With a loss to the Thunder, the 3-14 stretch would be the team’s worst since Tyrone Corbin’s final season in Utah in 2013-14 when the team lost 21 of its final 25 games.
The Jazz currently sit at 29-39 and in the 12th seed in the West.
Thunder Fighting For Top Seed
While the Jazz are working to improve their lottery odds, the Thunder are in the thick of a tight race for the top playoff seed in the West.
Oklahoma City currently owns the top seed by percentage points over the reigning champion Denver Nuggets at 47-20.
Updated West Standings ‼️
– Nuggets win, move into 2nd
– Pelicans win, stand in 5th
– Mavs win, stay in 7thFor more, download the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/oRfhdB8ZfO pic.twitter.com/MozbGVeapG— NBA (@NBA) March 20, 2024
The Thunder have missed the playoffs in each of the past four seasons but are poised to have home-court advantage in each of the first two rounds this year.
Oklahoma City has the sixth-toughest remaining schedule while the Nuggets own the second easiest.
How To Watch Jazz And Thunder
The Jazz will face the Thunder on Wednesday at 6 pm MST in Oklahoma City. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.
