Markkanen Crushes Shot By Brooks With Big Block During Grizzlies-Jazz Game

SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen rejected a shot attempt by Dillon Brooks with a massive block during Utah’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Jazz hosted the Grizzlies at Vivint Arena on Monday, October 31.

With 7:49 left in the third quarter, Brooks drove towards the hoop and attempted a shot from three feet out. The attempt was met by a big swat by the Finnish forward.

one, two, Lauri's coming for you 🫣#TakeNote | @MarkkanenLauri pic.twitter.com/SYeGsmoqfb

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 1, 2022

Markkanen’s rejection drew a loud cheer from the crowd at Vivint Arena. Two minutes before the swat, Brooks was assessed a technical foul after stepping over Jazz guard Mike Conley.

At the time of Markkanen’s block, the Jazz owned a 67-54 lead.

This season, the forward is averaging 21.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.6 blocks, and 0.7 steals per contest.

Lauri Markkanen has three blocks tonight already with 7:49 left in the third quarter.

He's already tied his career-high for a game.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) November 1, 2022

Utah’s game against Memphis is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.

Grizzlies vs. Jazz

The Utah Jazz will be short-handed again tonight when they host the Memphis Grizzlies as rookie Walker Kessler has been ruled out by the team.

Kessler joins a list of Jazz players who are missing the game due to various illnesses.

The Jazz beat the Grizzlies on Saturday night 124-123 in Salt Lake City.

Walker Kessler Out For Jazz

Kessler was the latest player to be scratched by the Jazz due to an illness. The rookie center missed Saturday’s win over Memphis along with Rudy Gay and Simone Fontecchio but was listed as questionable early Monday before he was ruled out.

Gay and Fontecchio are both in the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocol while Kessler is only listed out due to an unspecified illness.

Second-year guard Leandro Bolmaro was also added to the Jazz injury list and has been placed in the health and safety protocols.

Jazz injury report:

OUT – Walker Kessler (illness)

OUT – Leandro Bolmaro (health & safety protocols)

OUT – Simone Fontecchio (health & safety protocols)

OUT – Rudy Gay (health & safety protocols)

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 31, 2022

Though short-handed the Jazz came away with an exciting victory over the Grizzlies to move to 5-2 on the season.

Kelly Olynyk and Lauri Markkanen each scored 23 points and made clutch baskets late in the game to wrestle away a late five point Memphis lead.

Jordan Clarkson added 21 points and six assists to push the Jazz to victory.

Mike Conley, who also missed Saturday’s game is back in the lineup tonight.

Ja Morant Questionable

The Grizzlies weren’t at full strength either in Saturday’s loss.

The team was playing without superstar Ja Morant who missed the game due to an illness.

The guard was listed as questionable by the Grizzlies on Monday morning ahead of the Halloween night game.

"A lot of physicality and attention to detail."@mymikecheck sits down with @dillonbrooks24 head of our 2nd game in Utah. pic.twitter.com/Hr85FfSjMK

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) October 31, 2022

The Grizzlies got big performances from both Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks in Morant’s absence.

Bane scored 32 points on 11-23 shooting while Brooks at 30 points on 12-20 from the floor.

Memphis had a chance to win the game at the final buzzer, but Bane tripped as the ball was inbounded and was unable to get a shot away.

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