Lauri Markkanen Gets Off To Scorching Hot Start In Nations Capitol
Jan 25, 2024, 5:50 PM | Updated: 6:30 pm
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 28: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz reacts to a three-point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on October 28, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen did everything for Utah in the first quarter against the Washington Wizards on Thursday.
Markkanen scored 13 of Utah’s 36 first-quarter points.
top of the arc, right on the markk 🎯 pic.twitter.com/jElbM333OG
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 26, 2024
Markkanen was the only player to reach double-digits in the first quarter for either team.
The Wizards jumped out to an early lead after making their first six shots of the game.
After leading 13-4, Washington made just two of their next nine attempts. Markkanen and the Jazz stormed back to take a comfortable lead.
taking it right down pennsylvania ave 🚓#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/46OaHIoR5T
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 26, 2024
Simone Fontecchio and former Ute Kyle Kuzma were the next-highest scorers with 8.
Utah led 36-29 at the end of the first.
Jazz Look To Snap Losing Streak As They Face Wizards
The Utah Jazz will look to snap their three-game losing skid when they face the Washington Wizards on Thursday.
After a 15-4 stretch, the Jazz have dropped three straight games against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and the New Orleans Pelicans.
After the losses, the Jazz road trip will ease up significantly with games against the Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, and Brooklyn Nets before facing the New York Knicks on Tuesday.
Slow starts have doomed the @utahjazz in their last three outings as they’ve dropped below .500 on the season.
“We’re just not playing hard enough,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said.#takenote https://t.co/Rr67GMzr0c
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 24, 2024
Meanwhile, the Wizards have lost five straight after falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
Before facing the Jazz, the Wizards announced that head coach Wes Unseld Jr. was being moved into a front-office role and named Brian Keefe the interim coach.
Utah currently sits at 22-23 and in the 10th seed in the West.
Washington’s 7-36 record is the second-worst in the NBA ahead of only the 5-39 Detroit Pistons.
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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.
