UTAH JAZZ
Jazz Forward Lauri Markkanen Drives For Dunk On Spurs
SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen drove down the lane for a slam dunk during the second half of Utah’s game against the San Antonio Spurs.
The Jazz hosted the Thunder at Vivint Arena on Saturday, February 25.
With 6:16 left in the third quarter, Markkanen cut toward the paint to help a trapped Walker Kessler. After collecting a pass from the center, Markkanen drove to the hoop and rose up with his right hand for a jam.
Markkanen’s bucket was part of a Jazz run that resulted in Utah’s first lead of the contest. At the time, it cut San Antonio’s lead to 73-70.
new wallpaper, anyone? pic.twitter.com/Pvr6b8Szlv
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 26, 2023
At the end of the quarter, the Jazz owned an 85-79 advantage.
Markkanen had a team-high 13 points on 4-11 shooting during his first 23 minutes on the hardwood. The forward also recorded two rebounds and one assist.
This season, the Arizona product is averaging 25.2 points per game on 51.4 percent shooting. He’s also averaging 8.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.6 blocks, and 0.6 steals in 34.4 minutes per game.
yksi, kaksi,,,#TakeNote | @MarkkanenLauri pic.twitter.com/YV8lo7xFwK
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 26, 2023
Utah’s game against San Antonio is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.
Spurs vs. Jazz
Markkanen, Kessler Shine Post All-Star
The Jazz frontcourt of Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler looked refreshed after the All-Star weekend, despite playing major roles in the festivities.
Markkanen followed up his first All-Star appearance with a dominant 43-point, 10-rebound performance against the Thunder that included 24 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Kessler helped send the game to overtime after scoring the game-tying putback with four seconds left in regulation, then blocking the would-be game-winner by guard Isaiah Joe.
Fresh off of appearances in the Rising Stars Challenge and the Skills Competition, Kessler finished with seven points, 18 rebounds, and seven blocks in the win.
LISTEN LIVE: The @utahjazz and @spurs from Vivint Arena on https://t.co/4kU961V8lp and the @KSLSportsZone.#TakeNote https://t.co/V3LZdLDcOH pic.twitter.com/EcbZdHtsV7
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 26, 2023
Spurs Have Lost 15 Straight
The Spurs are amid their worst stretch of the season having lost 15 straight games dating back to January 20.
The contests haven’t been particularly close with the Spurs losing by an average margin of 15.5 points per game.
The Jazz represent the final two games of a nine-game road swing as part of the Spurs annual rodeo road trip.
San Antonio hasn’t played in a front of a home crowd since February 3 in a 137-125 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The two teams will play Saturday and Tuesday before the Spurs return to San Antonio where they will play eight of their next nine games.
