Jordan Clarkson Finds Lauri Markkanen For Alley-Oop Finish
Jan 10, 2023, 8:16 PM | Updated: 8:18 pm
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) and Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) react as the Utah Jazz win an NBA game. (photo: Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
(photo: Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Jazz two leading scorers, Jordan Clarkson and Lauir Markkanen, connected for a high flying, first half alley-oop against the Cavs.
The struggling Jazz (20-23) hosted the Cleveland Cavaliers (26-15) and former Utah star Donovan Mitchell at Vivint Arena on Tuesday, January 10.
✨re𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘬able✨#TakeNote | @MarkkanenLauri pic.twitter.com/gtDlL7ws5V
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2023
Markkanen leads the Jazz with 10 points at the half. Former Jazzman Donovan Mitchell leads all scorers with 25 points.
The Jazz and Cavaliers are tied at 55 at halftime.
Utah Jazz Playing Shorthanded
The Jazz will be without Kelly Olynyk when they take the floor on Tuesday night after the team’s starting center reinjured his left ankle on Sunday in Memphis.
RELATED: Injury-Riddled Jazz Host Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers
Olynyk originally sprained his ankle in mid-December which caused him to miss four games around the Christmas holiday.
The full injury report for the @utahjazz as they prepare to host Donovan Mitchell and the @cavs. pic.twitter.com/q8csI9q8Pl
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 10, 2023
The 31-year-old had been back in the lineup for the Jazz for the last seven games before turning his ankle in the final minutes of the team’s loss to the Grizzlies.
The Jazz will also be without Collin Sexton who will miss his fifth consecutive game and 12th overall due to a hamstring injury.
Talen Horton-Tucker will also miss the game due to an ankle injury. The first-year Jazzman was reinserted into the rotation in the team’s win over the Houston Rockets on January 5 but was sidelined again due to the injury after the team’s loss to the Chicago Bulls.
Donovan Mitchell Returns To Utah
Team owner Ryan Smith and CEO Danny Ainge both shared their appreciation for Mitchell when asked about the former Jazz great leading up to the game.
RELATED: Jazz Welcome Donovan Mitchell With Tribute Video
“I think everyone should celebrate,” Smith said of Mitchell’s return. “We forget quickly that this is a kid that came out pumped life into this franchise and gave everyone all these memories.”
KSL Sports Exclusive:
Ryan Smith and Danny Ainge sat down with @JJSportsBeat to discuss Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson's contract, the upcoming All-Star game and more.
Check it out here. #TakeNote | @UtahJazz https://t.co/Qs7B7SLdJU
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 8, 2023
Unlike many stars across the league, Mitchell never publically requested a trade away from Utah, even after the team moved All-Star teammate Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Mitchell led the Jazz to the playoffs in each of his first five seasons in the NBA, and Ainge said he hopes fans in Utah show their appreciation upon his return.
RELATED: Jazz Players, Fans Show Donovan Mitchell Love In Return To Utah
“It’s a great story, he’s continuing to get better, I remain a great, great fan of Donovan’s,” Ainge said. “I wish him nothing but the best and I hope that people receive him with great enthusiasm and energy and he deserves that.”
Utah Jazz vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Broadcast
The Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers game is televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. It can also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.
