Jazz Forward Lauri Markkanen Throws Down Poster Dunk On Thunder

SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen threw down a nasty slam dunk on Dario Šarić during Utah’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Jazz hosted the Thunder at Vivint Arena on Thursday, February 23.

With 6:33 left in the game, Markkanen drove down the middle of the lane before rising up and crushing the rim with a one-handed hammer dunk over Šarić.

add it to the collection 🖼️ https://t.co/DLz0MwFamc pic.twitter.com/P9sYW711bt

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 24, 2023

Markkanen’s dunk cut Oklahoma City’s lead to 93-89.

Add Dario Saric to the list of international big men Lauri Markkanen has dunked on.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 24, 2023

During his first 29 minutes on the hardwood, the Finnish forward had 28 points on 10-20 field goals. He added seven rebounds and two assists. Markkanen posted a plus-nine rating up to that point of the contest.

This season, the Arizona product is averaging 24.9 points per contest on 51.3 percent shooting. He’s also recording 8.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.6 blocks, and 0.6 steals in 34.3 minutes per game.

Rudy Gobert ✅
Nikola Vucevic ✅
Domantas Sabonis ✅
Ivica Zubac ✅
Jericho Simms ✅
Dario Saric 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽

(Am I missing anyone???)#TakeNote l @UtahJazz l @KSLSports pic.twitter.com/u2LV1aZMFN

— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) February 24, 2023

Utah’s game against Oklahoma City is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.

Thunder vs. Jazz

Collin Sexton Out With Hamstring Injury

On Wednesday, the Jazz announced that Collin Sexton had a left hamstring injury and would miss Thursday’s contest against the Thunder

Sexton is due to have the injury reexamined on Monday which will also keep him out of Saturday’s game at home against the San Antonio Spurs.

The speedy guard suffered the injury in the first quarter of the team’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies last Wednesday, their final game before the All-Star break.

During the break, the Jazz added additional guard depth to fill out the roster by signing veterans Frank Jackson and Kris Dunn to 10-day contracts.

Both Juan Toscano-Anderson and Damian Jones, who were acquired at the trade deadline, are likely to make their home debuts for the Jazz against the Thunder.

LISTEN LIVE: @utahjazz vs. @okcthunder on https://t.co/4kU961V8lp and the @KSLSportsZone.#TakeNote https://t.co/G1LbPoPCz8 pic.twitter.com/hOle9dF1Kw

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 24, 2023

RELATED: What Do Frank Jackson, Kris Dunn Offer Jazz?

Thunder Closed First Half Of Season Well

The Thunder come into Utah having played their best basketball of the season over their last 21 games.

Oklahoma City has won 13 of their last 21 outings to climb into the 10th spot in the West, and are likely to compete for a spot in the Western Conference Play-In tournament.

Thursday marks the first meeting between the Thunder and Jazz this season.

The two teams will meet three more times before the season’s end, including back-to-back games in Oklahoma City next week as the Jazz open a six-game road swing.

Follow @kyleireland