Lauri Markkanen Catches Fire In First Quarter Against Minnesota Timberwolves
Nov 4, 2023, 6:42 PM
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) shoots a free throw during an NBA basketball game between the Utah Jazz and Orlando Magic at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Megan Nielsen, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Megan Nielsen, Deseret News)
MINNEAPOLIS – The Utah Jazz were searching for offense in the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lauri Markkanen provided just that.
Markkanen ended the opening quarter with 13 points and three makes from behind the arc.
🇫🇮 Lookin’ good Lau 🇫🇮 pic.twitter.com/MLZJ2LOVD5
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 5, 2023
Markkanen accounted for almost half of the Jazz’s 27 points early on.
After Utah missed its first six three-point attempts, Markkanen turned it around with back-to-back makes from deep.
Markkanen also set a Jazz record for the most threes made through the first six games of a season.
it’s like they don’t know he’s made 𝟸𝟻 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚎𝚎 𝚙𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 to start the season,,,
the most by a Jazz player through six games 🏆 𝗮𝗹𝗹-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 🏆#TakeNote | @MarkkanenLauri pic.twitter.com/l66uzyRuFk
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 5, 2023
The Finnish big man is shooting a blistering 45.5% from three so far this year.
Jazz Face Timberwolves, Gobert After Career Worst Shooting Night
The Utah Jazz travel to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves to open a four-game road trip on Saturday.
The Jazz are 2-4 on the season coming off a disappointing 115-113 loss to the Orlando Magic on Thursday.
The Timberwolves are 2-2 but are coming off one of the best wins by any team in the NBA this season after blowing out the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday at home.
Outside of strong play early from Lauri Markkanen and the reliable contributions from newcomer John Collins the Jazz have struggled to find a consistent identity through six games.
Jordan Clarkson, last season’s second-leading scorer has shot below 31 percent in five of six outings, and is averaging 3.8 turnovers per game.
Talen Horton-Tucker has yet to score in double-digits in back-to-back games and is shooting just 41 percent from the floor and 21 percent from three.
Lauri Markkanen isn’t mentioned on the @utahjazz injury report against the @Timberwolves.
Normal 5 rookies/Two way players are out.#TakeNote | @kslsports
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) November 3, 2023
Collin Sexton has the best shooting percentages of the Jazz guards but has failed to record an assist in three of his six outings.
Similarly, rookie phenom Walker Kessler has had a less-than-ideal start to the year. The center has broken the double-digit scoring mark just once this season, has scored four or fewer points three times, and has the seventh-worst total plus-minus of any player in the NBA.
The Jazz did receive good news after Thursday’s loss. Markkanen was not listed on the team’s injury report despite a scary fall against the Magic.
After facing the Timberwolves the Jazz will travel to Chicago, Indiana, and Memphis before returning home.
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Chandler Holt is a co-host for the Jazz Notes podcast and a Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.
