Lauri Markkanen Blocks Kawhi Leonard During Jazz-Clippers Game

SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen rejected a shot by NBA star Kawhi Leonard during the fourth quarter of Utah’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Clippers hosted the Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on Monday, November 21.

With 9:40 to go, the two-time NBA Finals MVP drove by the Jazzman for a layup attempt. The Arizona product recovered on defense and swatted Leonard’s shot from behind to help Utah maintain its 96-95 lead.

hi, welcome to Chili's 🌶#TakeNote | @MarkkanenLauri pic.twitter.com/7eFlIFquRQ

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 22, 2022

Midway through the final quarter, Markkanen had a game-high 25 points on 10-19 field goals. He added 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and a block during 35 minutes on the floor.

This season, Markkanen is averaging 22.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 0.6 steals in 32.9 minutes per contest.

Utah’s game against Los Angeles is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA TV, and KSL Sports Zone.

Jazz vs. Clippers

The Jazz will be without Mike Conley after the veteran suffered a knee strain in the team’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.

Utah can clinch an early season road sweep of the Clippers after winning the series’ first game in Los Angeles on November 6.

Lauri Markkanen scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the previous win, while Collin Sexton added 17 points off the bench.

Late in the game, it was Sexton’s heroics that earned the Jazz the victory.

Sexton earned five trips to the free-throw line, finished a layup through contact, and dunked the ball off of a Kelly Olynyk to seal the 110-103 win.

📻 LISTEN LIVE: @utahjazz vs. @LAClippers on the @kslsports app, @KSLSportsZone, and https://t.co/4kU961UAvR. 🎷🏀 #TakeNote #UTAvsLAC https://t.co/c3Cw4l9v3X pic.twitter.com/UfILP8i1t4

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 22, 2022

The Jazz haven’t swept two games on the road against the Clippers in one season since 2010-11.

Mike Conley will miss his first game of what is reported to be an extended hiatus after hyperextending his knee Saturday in Portland.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Conley avoided serious injury, but will be out of commission for at least two weeks.

Conley is averaging 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 0.3 blocks, and 1.2 steals in 29.2 minutes per game.

Kawhi Leonard likely to play vs. Jazz

After missing 13 of the Clippers’ first 15 games of the season Kawhi Leonard is expected to suit up for the third straight game Monday night against the Jazz.

Leonard has suffered continued knee soreness since returning to the lineup after tearing his ACL in the Clippers’ second-round playoff series victory over the Jazz in 2021.

The superstar forward is averaging 10.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 22 minutes per game in his four appearances this season.

While Leonard is likely to play, Paul George was ruled out Monday before the game.

The forward left Saturday’s win over the San Antonio Spurs due to right knee soreness.

Follow @kyleireland