Lauri Markkanen Beats Buzzer With Bucket During Jazz-Raptors Game
Feb 10, 2023, 6:23 PM
SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen hit a buzzer-beating shot as the game clock expired to end the opening quarter of Utah’s game against the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors hosted the Jazz at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Friday, February 10.
With 1.1 seconds to go in the first quarter, the Jazz inbounded the ball to Markkanen, who connected on a 17-footer as time ran out and the horn sounded to end the quarter.
Markkanen’s shot cut the Raptor’s lead to 34-28.
beats the buzzer, right on the markk 🇫🇮 pic.twitter.com/FvLzppncXM
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 11, 2023
At the end of the quarter, the first-time NBA All-Star led the Jazz with five points on 2-5 field goals. He also had one rebound, one assist, and two steals in a little under nine minutes on the court.
This season, the Arizona product is averaging 24.7 points per game, which ranks 18th in the league. He also averages 8.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 blocks, and 0.6 steals in 34.2 minutes per contest. He’s played in 52 games for the Jazz this season.
Earlier in the day, Markkanen was elevated to a starter in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.
Utah’s game against Dallas is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.
RELATED STORIES
Jazz vs. Raptors
Utah Down Multiple Players
After trading Mike Conley, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker at the trade deadline, the Jazz will be without three of the top six rotation players from the first half of the season.
Starting guard Jordan Clarkson is also out with a non-Covid illness against Toronto, while recently acquired Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones, and Russell Westbrook have yet to join the Jazz.
That leaves the team with 10 players available including Leandro Bolmaro, Simone Fonteccho, and Udoka Azubuike who have rarely seen the floor this season.
The Jazz are coming off arguably their worst stretch of the year having lost three consecutive games at home for the first time this season.
The team has stops in Toronto, New York, Indiana, and Memphis on the road as they head into the All-Star break.
LISTEN LIVE: @utahjazz vs. @Raptors#TakeNote https://t.co/btO2gdzlio pic.twitter.com/JrHoPv7IaV
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 11, 2023
Toronto Looking To Extend Win Streak
Despite heavy rumors that they may be sellers at the trade deadline, the Raptors turned out to be buyers as they reacquired former University of Utah star Jakob Poeltl from the San Antonio Spurs.
OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, and Fred VanVleet were all rumored to be available in trade talks but remained with the Raptors who are now expected to make a playoff push with Poeltl back in the lineup.
RELATED: Utah Jazz: Russell Westbrook ‘Open To Being Here’
Toronto sits in the 10th seed in the East and is 4.5 games back of the Miami Heat for the sixth seed and a guaranteed playoff spot.
The Jazz represent the Raptors’ second opponent in a five-game homestand that runs through the All-Star break.
