SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz fell to the New York Knicks 126-120 as they struggled to slow guard Jalen Brunson.

Brunson scored 38 points while Julius Randle scored 31 to outpace the Jazz who were led by Lauri Markkanen’s 29 points.

Newcomers Juan Toscano-Anderson and Damian Jones were in uniform for the Jazz but didn’t see the floor in New York.

Markkanen’s Wonderful-Horrible Night

Lauri Markkanen had one of his worst games in a Jazz uniform against the Knicks, missing his first seven three-point attempts and shooting just 9-23 from the floor overall.

And yet, the All-Star starter finished with 29 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.

At half time, Markkanen had managed just six points on 2-9 shooting, including an 0-5 start from the three-point line.

But, the forward didn’t get rattled in the second half as he added 23 points, three rebounds, and three blocks to round out another impressive statistical outing.

“He’s an NBA All-Star for a reason and he’s had a consistency about not only his play but his approach all season,” Will Hardy said.

Markkanen’s resilience has been a big reason the Jazz haven’t suffered a losing streak longer than five this season, and remain in the Western Conference playoff Race regardless of how the roster has performed around him.

At just 26 years old there’s plenty of room for Markkanen to grow, but his ability to avoid truly awful performances, even when his shot isn’t falling is already an elite skill.

Vanderbilt, Beasley Make Lakers Debuts

Though Juan Toscano-Anderson and Damian Jones didn’t see the floor for the Jazz in New York, former Jazzmen Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley made their debuts for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.

Vanderbilt received enormous praise for his performance scoring 12 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and dishing out four assists.

Reaves 🤝 Vando pic.twitter.com/s5zpbtzl3r

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 12, 2023

The versatile forward brings energy to a Lakers roster that often skates by on its talent, and for that reason, has been one of the league’s bigger disappointments this season.

Vanderbilt can’t be counted on to provide those types of numbers consistently, but his effort should help in LA.

Beasley, however, struggled in his debut shooting just 2-9 from the floor for four points to go with three turnovers.

The Lakers, one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA this season added Beasley for his ability to not just space the floor, but to knock down the threes he’ll get with opposing defenses focused on LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Unfortunately, Beasley missed all six of his three-point attempts against the Warriors.

Malik Beasley's first bucket as a member of #Lakers 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Eu2pfb1rKk

— Digits Hoops (🏀,📊) (@Digits3Hoops) February 12, 2023

The former Jazzman knocked down an efficient 40 percent of his eight threes per game in his first 23 appearances this year but saw his numbers dip consistently after his hot start.

Over his final 32 games with the Jazz Beasley shot just 33 percent from three on nearly nine attempts per game and 37 percent from the floor overall.

Like all great shooters, Beasley will go through hot and cold streaks, but with only 25 games left in the season, the guard will have to find his stroke if he wants to help the Lakers climb back into the playoff picture.

Jazz Next Broadcast

The Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers will tip off at 5 pm MT on Monday. The game will be televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. It can also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.

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 or on Instagram @BensHoops.

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