Kristaps Porzingis Out As Jazz Face Mavericks

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz will face a different-looking Dallas Mavericks team when the two teams tip-off tonight. Mavericks center Kristaps Porzingis will miss the game due to a right wrist sprain that has plagued the former All-Star for the last several weeks.

Porzingis has been a significant piece in the Mavericks rotation averaging 20.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. The Dallas big man has also been shooting the ball well of late, connecting on nearly 38 percent of his three-point attempts since the All-Star break.

However, the Jazz will see the return of Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber who missed both the teams’ previous matchups due to the NBA’s COVID-19 tracing protocol.

Josh Richardson (left calf tightness) will be available for tonight's game vs. Utah. Willie Cauley-Stein (health and safety protocols), Kristaps Porzingis (right wrist sprain), JJ Redick (right heel soreness) and Tyrell Terry (personal reasons) will all miss tonight’s game.

— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) April 5, 2021

“They’ve got players that are starting to have continuity and the last time we played them that wasn’t the case,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder noted. “They had a number of guys that were out, Kleber in particular I think is a huge impact for them.”

The forward has modest averages of 7.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game but shoots an impressive 43 percent from the three-point line next to superstar Luka Doncic.

“You can see Luka continuing to find his rhythm,” Snyder said. “They shoot the ball very well, they’re defending — all the little things that you do when you’re you’re playing well.”

The Mavericks have won six straight with Doncic in the lineup. The third-year guard is averaging 27.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists while shooting a blistering 54 percent from the floor and 45 percent from the three-point line.

Doncic was named Western Conference Rookie of the Week early Monday.

Luka gonna Luka.

Western Conference Player of the Week 🪄 @ModeloUSA @luka7doncic | #MFFL pic.twitter.com/mgGbw4fWU9

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) April 5, 2021

The Jazz meanwhile will have the services of All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell. The fourth-year star missed the first two games against Dallas after suffering a concussion against the New York Knicks in late January.

Michell is averaging 25.6 points, 5.5 assists, 4.4. rebounds, while shooting 40 percent from the three-point line this season.

The Jazz and Mavericks tip-off at 5 pm MT, the game will be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet.