Jazz Host Kings With Playoff Standings On The Line
Mar 20, 2023, 1:30 PM | Updated: 1:35 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz will host the Sacramento Kings in a game that will have a major impact on the final playoff standings.
The Jazz are competing for one of the final four spots in the postseason Play-In tournament, batting with the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Kings meanwhile are looking to lock up the second-seed in the West in hopes of hosting one of the four Play-In hopefuls in the opening round of the playoffs.
Jazz Will Be Shorthanded
The Jazz face the Kings with just 12 games left in the regular season and a limited roster.
Collin Sexton will miss his 11th straight game due to a hamstring injury while Jordan Clarkson will miss his sixth straight with a finger injury.
All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen is also out against Sacramento with a sore back.
UPDATED Jazz Injury Report (as of 3/20):
*OUT – Lauri Markkanen (back soreness)
OUT – Jordan Clarkson (left hand – fourth finger sprain)
OUT – Micah Potter (G League – Two-Way)
OUT – Collin Sexton (left hamstring strain)
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 20, 2023
The team is in the midst of a four-game homestand that opened on Saturday with a win against the Boston Celtics and concludes with matchups Wednesday against the Portland Trail Blazers and Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Jazz then head out on a difficult stretch that features four road games in five contests including stops in Sacramento, San Antonio, Boston, and Brooklyn.
With 12 games left to play, the Jazz are within 1.5 games of both the sixth seed and the 12th seed in the West.
Kings Look To Hold Onto Second Seed
The Kings are looking to close the season strong and lock up the second seed in the West ahead of the fledging Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies were in sole control of the second seed and homecourt advantage from December 20-March 15, but a series of injuries and on-and-off-the-floor mishaps have rattle the team over recent weeks.
Domas put up a double-double in The District 😤👑
30 PTS | 10 AST | 9 REB | 10/12 FG pic.twitter.com/Vic1tvHuHT
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) March 19, 2023
The Kings are 14-4 over their last 18 games heading into Monday’s matchup with the Jazz and sit 5.5 games clear of the fourth seed in the West.
Sacramento is 2-0 this season in matchups against the Jazz.
Utah Jazz vs. Sacramento Kings
The Utah Jazz and Orlando Magic 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.
