Markkanen Available For Jazz, Leonard, George Out For Clippers
Jan 17, 2023, 3:21 PM | Updated: Jan 18, 2023, 1:31 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz offered an injury update on forward Lauri Markkanen ahead of their matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.
Markkanen has missed the team’s last two games with a left hip contusion but will be available against the Clippers.
The Clippers meanwhile will be extremely shorthanded as they will be without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George due to injury management.
Jazz Stay Afloat Despite Markkanen Injury
Markkanen is in the midst of the breakout season with the Jazz averaging 24.6 points per game and 8.6 rebounds.
The Finnish big man appears poised to earn his first All-Star nod and has helped keep the Jazz relevant in the Western Conference Playoff chase.
But even without Markkanen over the last two games, the Jazz competed well against two formidable opponents.
The @utahjazz injury report for tomorrow against the @LAClippers.
Jazz Injury Report (as of 1/17):
QUESTIONABLE – Lauri Markkanen (left hip contusion)
OUT – Kelly Olynyk (left ankle sprain)
OUT – Johnny Juzang (G League – Two-Way)
OUT – Micah Potter (G League – Two-Way)
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 17, 2023
On Friday, the team narrowly lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 118-117 in Salt Lake City before beating the Timberwolves in Minnesota on Monday.
Rookie Walker Kessler had the best game of his career with 20 points, 21 rebounds, and four assists in the Jazz 126-125 victory. Fellow rookie Ochai Agbai chipped in 17 points, while Clarkson led all Jazz scorers with 21.
While Markkanen has been upgraded to available, veteran big man Kelly Olynyk remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
Clippers Face Jazz After Tough Back-To-Back
The Clippers will travel to Utah on the second half of back-to-back games after facing the 76ers Tuesday night with several key players missing from the roster.
In addition to Leonard and George, the Clippers will be without Luke Kennard, John Wall, and Moses Brown against the Jazz.
Spearheaded by Leonard and George, Los Angeles has been one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA this season. Just past the midway point of the season, the Clippers sit at .500 with their most daunting stretch of the schedule on the horizon.
Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Luke Kennard, John Wall and Moses Brown (G League) are all out tonight in Utah.
Ivica Zubac (left knee contusion) is listed as questionable.
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) January 18, 2023
After falling to Philadelphia on Tuesday, the Clippers play 10 of their next 11 games on the road, beginning with the Jazz on Wednesday night.
Thought to be one of the favorites to come out of the West, the Clippers are just 2-8 in their last ten games and have the second-toughest remaining strength of schedule in the NBA.
LA would fall behind the Jazz in the standings with a loss Wednesday night.
Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers Broadcast
The Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers will tip off at 7 pm MT in Salt Lake City. The game will be televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. It can also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.
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.
