Utah Jazz Forward Lauri Markkanen Starts Strong Against Chicago Bulls
Nov 28, 2022, 7:27 PM | Updated: 7:30 pm
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) battles to get up a shot as Utah Jazz and the Detroit Pistons play at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen posted a strong start in the opening minutes of Utah’s game against the Chicago Bulls.
The Jazz hosted the Bulls at Vivint Arena on Monday, November 28.
To start the game, the Arizona product got off to a fast start and led the Jazz in scoring.
During his first four minutes on the court, Markkanen had eight points on 3-3 shooting, including 2-2 from beyond the arc, against his former team. He added one rebound and posted a plus-two rating.
23 with 8 early points 🏹#TakeNote | @MarkkanenLauri pic.twitter.com/WG3mU7Lu6K
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 29, 2022
Markkanen was selected by Chicago with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
At the first timeout, the Jazz owned a 12-10 lead.
This season, Markkanen is averaging 21.7 points per game on 52.1 percent shooting, including 36.6 percent from downtown. He also averages 8.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 0.5 steals in 33.5 minutes per contest.
Utah’s game against Chicago is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.
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Bulls vs. Jazz
The Jazz have struggled after their brilliant 10-3 start to the season. The team has just two wins in its last nine outings and has lost two of its last three in Salt Lake City.
At 12-10, the Jazz have played the most games of any team in the NBA and will have an opportunity to get back to their winning ways with eight of their next nine games at Vivint Arena.
Despite returning home, the Jazz schedule offers very few easy wins over the next two weeks.
After welcoming the Bulls on Monday, the Jazz next eight games will be against teams with records of .500 or better.
On top of Markkanen’s injury, both Mike Conley (knee strain) and Rudy Gay (finger sprain) have been ruled out.
The Jazz are Winless over the last four games without Conley in the lineup.
LISTEN LIVE: The @utahjazz are back home to battle the @chicagobulls at Vivint Arena on the @KSLSportsZone and https://t.co/4kU961UAvR.#TakeNote https://t.co/ycIgyjW6eC pic.twitter.com/TiWNzlHd3n
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 29, 2022
Despite dropping a game on Friday night to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Bulls bring considerable momentum with them to face the Jazz.
Chicago had won consecutive games over the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, two teams considered to be among the few elites in the NBA, before narrowly losing to the Thunder in overtime.
The Bulls are also looking to overcome a series of injuries as they prepare to face the Jazz.
Guard Lonzo Ball has yet to appear in a Bulls uniform this season and will not play against the Jazz while defensive dynamo Alex Caruso is listed as questionable with an ankle injury.
