Lauri Markkanen Concludes Dominant EuroBasket Preparation
Aug 21, 2025, 2:37 PM | Updated: 2:40 pm
Lauri Markkanen #23 of Finland dunks the ball (Photo by Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images)
(Photo by Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Lauri Markkanen wrapped up his preparation for the EuroBasket tournament with a quiet outing against Poland.
The Finnish forward scored six points and grabbed seven rebounds in 17 minutes as Team Finland knocked off Poland 106-87 on Thursday.
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Markkanen Impresses During EuroBasket Friendlies
Despite his quiet finale against Poland, Markkanen has generated momentum for Finland ahead of next week’s EuroBasket tournament.
Lauri Markkanen is averaging 40.3 PPG on 68.6% FG, 53.8% 3PT in EuroBasket exhibition games:
42 PTS, 12 REB, 3 3PM
31 PTS, 5 REB, 4 3PM
48 PTS, 9 REB, 7 3PM(h/t @UnderdogNBA ) pic.twitter.com/53RlT9lr8t
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 17, 2025
Over his first three outings, the All-Star recorded outings of 48 points, 42 points, and 31 points, while leading Finland to an unblemished 4-0 record.
Markkanen and Finland will host Group Play for the EuroBasket Tournament, which begins on August 27.
Nurkic Has Mixed Start In Exhibition Play
Jusuf Nurkic got off to a bad start during exhibition play, drawing criticism from his coach for poor conditioning.
“Nurkic is out of shape and can barely run,” coach Adis Beciragic said after dropping back-to-back games to Serbia, and Montenegro.
BOSNIA’S ROSTER FOR FIBA EUROBASKET 2025 🏆🇧🇦
PG: Adnan Arslanagić | John Roberson
SG: Edin Atić | Amar Gegić | Tarik Hrelja
SF: Aleksandar Lazić | Adin Vrabac
PF: Amar Alibegović | Ajdin Penava | Miralem Halilović
C: Jusuf Nurkić | Kenan KamenjašHC: Adis Bećiragić pic.twitter.com/9oQCl4KkEa
— Fanzonebasket (@fanzonebasket) August 21, 2025
However, Nurkic’s Bosnia and Herzegovina team bounced back with consecutive wins over Great Britain and Belgium.
Bosnia and Herzegovina will compete in Group C in Cyprus.
Group Play Schedules
Finland (Group B – Hosted in Finland)
- Aug. 27: vs. Sweden
- Aug. 29: vs. Great Britain
- Aug. 30: vs. Montenegro
- Sept. 1: vs. Lithuania
- Sept. 3: vs. Germany
Bosnia and Herzegovina (Group C – Hosted in Cyprus)
- Aug. 28: vs. Cyprus
- Aug. 30: vs. Spain
- Aug. 31: vs. Italy
- Sept. 2: vs. Greece
- Sept. 4: vs. Georgia
Fans can stream games live on FIBA’s Courtside 1891, while select games will be carried on FIBA’s YouTube channel.
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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, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
