Lauri Markkanen Dunks All Over Clipper Defense Off Strong Drive

SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz fans were waiting for the first jaw-dropping Lauri Markkanen dunk of the season up until Friday.

Markkanen got downhill and rose up to power it down with two hands.

hitting all the high notes 🎵#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/dqTJWVM44f

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 28, 2023

The dunk gave Markkanen his 24th point of the night.

After failing to reach the 20-point mark in the season opener against Sacramento, Markkanen came to play against LA.

He went on to record his first 30+ point game of the season.

That’s 31 points and counting for @MarkkanenLauri 🇫🇮 pic.twitter.com/q5ZGhFgohv

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 28, 2023

The Jazz led the Clippers 89-83 at the end of the third quarter.

Jazz Look For First Win Of Season Against Clippers

The Utah Jazz will look to get their first win of the season on Friday night when they host the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Jazz fell 130-114 to the Sacramento Kings in the season opener on Wednesday after a rough defensive performance.

RELATED: Kings Hot Shooting Sinks Jazz In Season Opener

See ya back here Friday.#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/EfKRrOlrRO

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 26, 2023

The Clippers opened the season with a 123-111 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Jazz were largely uncompetitive in their home loss to the Kings to open the season.

A De’Aaron Fox three-pointer two minutes into the second half extended the Kings lead to 12, and the Jazz never closed the gap to fewer than double digits.

The @SacramentoKings outran, outshot, and outplayed the @utahjazz in their regular season opener.

But, it wasn’t all bad as Jazz rookie Keyonte George played well in his debut. #takenote https://t.co/ttDs3da3Qh

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 26, 2023

Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 24 points, four rebounds, and six assists, while John Collins added 15 points and 11 rebounds.

The Jazz allowed the Kings to shoot 19-51 from the three-point line while making just nine threes of their own.

Though the final score may not show it, the Clippers thoroughly dismantled the Trail Blazers in their season opener Wednesday.

The Clippers led the Blazers 67-47 at the half, and extended their lead to 26 before resting their starters for most of the fourth quarter.

PG WITH AUTHORITY! pic.twitter.com/p7NBjrtKus

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) October 26, 2023

Paul George and Kawhi Leonard combined for 50 points on 20-34 shooting, while Ivica Zubac added 20 points and 12 rebounds.

The Jazz and Clippers split their two preseason matches in Hawaii and Seattle.

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Chandler Holt is a co-host for the Jazz Notes podcast and a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.

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