Jazz Star Lauri Markkanen Blocks Dunk Attempt By Suns’ Devin Booker
Nov 17, 2023, 9:03 PM
SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen elevated to block a dunk attempt by Devin Booker during Utah’s game against the Phoenix Suns.
The Jazz hosted the Suns at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah on Friday, November 17.
With 1:35 left in the first quarter, Markkanen rose up to swat a driving shot attempt by Booker. Five seconds later, Utah’s Collin Sexton made a field goal to cut Phoenix’s lead to 39-34.
LAURI MARKKANEN ROSE UP FOR THE REJECTION 🤯
🏆 NBA In-Season Tournament
🏀 West Group A action on ESPN pic.twitter.com/NOATIz2719— NBA (@NBA) November 18, 2023
At the end of the quarter, the Jazz trailed the Suns, 41-38.
During the first 12 minutes of game time, Markkanen had five points on 5/6 shooting from the free throw line. He was 0-1 from the field. Markkanen added one block in eight minutes of action.
This season, the forward is averaging 23.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 0.9 steals in 33.3 minutes per game.
Utah’s game against Phoenix is broadcast on ESPN, Jazz+, KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM), sports.ksl.com, and the KSL Sports app.
LISTEN LIVE: The @utahjazz are at home to face the @Suns in NBA In-Season Tournament action on the @kslsports app, @KSLSportsZone, and:https://t.co/63Gibx1fAi pic.twitter.com/zeJuTBkZ6a
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 18, 2023
Suns vs. Jazz
Beal Out As Jazz Host Suns In In-Season Tournament
The Jazz will look to stay undefeated in In-Season Tournament play when they host the shorthanded Suns on Friday night.
Utah opened Tournament play with wins over the Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers to sit near the top of Group A in the Western Conference.
Friday night *𝚝𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚢* hoops 🏆💜
⏰ 8:00PM MT
📺 JAZZ+ | KJZZ | @ESPN
📻 @kslsportszone
📍 @deltacenter
🎟️ https://t.co/KkdCNooQSg#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/QcFZVgkEcH— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 17, 2023
The Suns are 0-1 in group play with a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on November 10.
Utah Jazz In-Season Tournament Standings
Though unbeaten in In-Season Tournament play, the Jazz are technically in second place in the Group A standings.
In addition to each team’s record during group play, the NBA is also weighing point differential to help determine tiebreakers and wild card winners to advance to the next round of the In-Season Tournament.
The Jazz and the Lakers are both 2-0 in group play, but the Lakers have outscored their first two opponents by a combined 30 points in their wins while the Jazz are +22.
After hosting the Suns on Friday, the Jazz will conclude group play against the Lakers in Los Angeles next Tuesday in their final cup game.
If the Jazz beat both Phoenix and LA, they’ll advance to the round of eight in the tournament. If they lose either, or both, their future will be determined by score differential and the records of other teams in cup play across the league.
RELATED: Jazz Notes Grades: Where Does Utah Fall In Western Conference, NBA?
Jazz Have Improved As They Prepare For Suns
After a clunky 2-7 start to the season, the Jazz have won back-to-back games as they prepare to host the Suns.
The Jazz knocked off the Grizzlies to earn their first road win last Friday before dismissing the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
While neither Memphis nor Portland are near the top of the Western Conference rankings, the Jazz have made significant strides on both ends of the floor in their last two outings.
Start your weekend with some Suns basketball!
🆚 @utahjazz
🕗 8PM
📺 @azfamily
📻 @AZSports | @az_mejor
💻 https://t.co/NW4LPYA30V pic.twitter.com/k8yFsbtT7U— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 17, 2023
Over their first nine games of the season the Jazz owned the 17th ranked offense and the 27th ranked defense in the NBA.
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In their last two wins, however, the Jazz have had the league’s ninth-best offense and the fifth-best defense.
Before the game, the Jazz announced that rookies Taylor Hendricks and Brice Sensabaugh had returned to the roster after missing the last five games working with the Salt Lake City Stars in the G League.
Suns Coming Off Timberwolves Blowout
The Suns will travel to Utah after Wednesday’s 133-115 blowout victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Phoenix was planning to debut their big three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal against Minnesota, but Beal was ruled inactive shortly before the game due to back tightness.
Sitting at 5-6, the Suns have had a disappointing start to the year with both Booker and Beal missing eight of the team’s first 11 games.
Got it done tonight! pic.twitter.com/zhoGVNzzNh
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 16, 2023
On Friday it was announced that Beal would miss an additional three weeks of games as the team continues to monitor his back injury.
Despite their injuries, the Suns own the 10th-best offensive rating in the NBA and the 15th-best defense.
Booker is listed as probably against the Jazz.
The two teams will meet again on Sunday in Salt Lake City.
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com. He’s also co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on X/Twitter (@kyleireland), Instagram (@kyleirelandksl), and Threads (@kyleirelandksl).
