Jazz Forward Lauri Markkanen Cooks Magic During Opening Quarter

SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen torched the defense and reached double figures in scoring during the opening quarter of Utah’s home game against the Orlando Magic.

The Jazz hosted the Magic at Vivint Arena on Friday, January 13.

Markkanen played the entire first quarter and cooked the visiting team on offense behind a trio of three-pointers.

right on the markk(anen)@MarkkanenLauri is 3/3 from deep #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/N0iBgVK7qU

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 14, 2023

During his first 12 minutes on the court, the forward has 12 points on 4-8 field goals, including 3-4 from beyond the arc. He added three rebounds and one assist during the opening quarter.

RELATED: Malik Beasley Buries Pair Of Three-Pointers To Start Magic-Jazz Game

This season, the Arizona product is averaging 24.5 points per game on 52.4 percent shooting, including 41.2 percent from downtown. Markkanen also averages 8.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.6 blocks, and 0.6 steals in 34.2 minutes per game.

☝️ Good things come in threes ☝️

including voting for #NBAAllStar today 🌟 https://t.co/X4WJXzIrma#TakeNote | @MarkkanenLauri pic.twitter.com/ot0FmGcq1u

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 14, 2023

Utah’s game against Orlando is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.

Magic vs. Jazz

Sexton Expected To Return For Jazz

After missing the last five games due to hamstring injury maintenance, Sexton expects to return to the Jazz lineup against the Magic.

The dynamic sixth man missed seven games after suffering a hamstring strain against the Golden State Warriors on December 7.

Sexton returned for five games late in the month but was shut down by the team after feeling continued discomfort.

LISTEN LIVE: The @utahjazz host the @OrlandoMagic on https://t.co/4kU961UAvR and the @KSLSportsZone.#TakeNote https://t.co/424ohrfzz1 pic.twitter.com/TcGkxKfTvo

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 14, 2023

“Things that I normally do, whether it’s pressing the ball, ball picking up full [court] here and there, it just felt a little off,” Sexton said. “I didn’t feel like it was strong enough.”

Sexton hasn’t played since the Jazz’s loss to the Miami Heat on New Year’s Eve but anticipated playing Friday.

“I feel good,” Sexton said. “Back tomorrow — definitely excited to be back on the floor. I feel ready to go.”

Starting center Kelly Olynyk will miss his second straight game with an ankle injury, while guard Talen Horton-Tucker is listed as questionable after missing the last two games with an ankle sprain.

Magic Start Road Trip Well

The Jazz mark the fourth game of a five-game road trip for the Magic.

Orlando needs just one more win in the final three games to guarantee themselves their second consecutive plus-.500 road trip after winning three out of four games in mid-December.

The Magic opened their current road trip with a rare win over the Golden State Warriors at Chase center before downing the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.

Orlando is led in scoring by rookie top-overall pick Paolo Banchero who averages 21.2 points per game. Second-year wing Franz Wagner is the Magic’s second-leading scorer at 20.2 points per contest.

game #43. your friday night plans 👇

🆚: @utahjazz
📍: Salt Lake City, UT
🕘: 9 P.M.
📺: @BallySportsFL
📻: @969thegame pic.twitter.com/pUiT37Rozd

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) January 13, 2023

After missing four games due to a non-Covid illness, breakout center Bol Bol was cleared to return to the floor against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday. However, the team opted to give him another night’s rest.

The center is expected to be available against the Jazz.

Follow @kyleireland