The Utah Jazz are set to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Delta Center this Thursday night. The Jazz are aiming to halt a three-game losing streak, while the Pelicans come in riding high after victories over the Philadelphia 76ers and the Golden State Warriors.
Injury woes continue to plague Utah. Lauri Markkanen, who’s been battling a right ankle sprain and right hip impingement, is listed as questionable.
Keyonte George shares the same questionable status, adding to the Jazz’s concerns. Meanwhile, Walker Kessler, Jaren Jackson Jr., Vince Williams Jr., and Jusuf Nurkic are confirmed out, leaving Utah shorthanded.
On the flip side, the Pelicans are in a more favorable position health-wise. Trey Murphy III and Yves Missi are out, but they have the luxury of depth with Hunter Dickinson and Trey Alexander currently on G League assignments.
Lauri Markkanen, despite his questionable status, has been a standout performer, dropping 29 points against the Rockets in his last outing. The Jazz, sitting at 18-40, are desperate for a win to break their skid. Meanwhile, the Pelicans, with a 17-42 record, are finding their groove, having won two straight and five of their last ten.
Markkanen’s contributions have been pivotal when he’s on the court, averaging a stellar 26.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. With both Markkanen and George potentially sidelined, the Jazz will need to dig deep to avoid a repeat of last season, where they dropped all three encounters against New Orleans.
Here’s a quick look at the injury report:
- Keyonte George: Questionable (Right Ankle; Sprain)
- Jaren Jackson Jr.: Out (Left Knee; Injury recovery)
- Walker Kessler: Out (Left Shoulder; Injury recovery)
- Lauri Markkanen: Questionable (Right Ankle; Sprain / Right Hip Impingement)
- Jusuf Nurkic: Out (Nose; Injury recovery)
- Vince Williams Jr.: Out (Left Knee; Injury management)
- Trey Alexander: Out (G League - Two-Way)
- Hunter Dickinson: Out (G League - Two-Way)
- Yves Missi: Out (Left Calf; Strain)
- Trey Murphy III: Out (Right Shoulder; Contusion)
The Jazz will need to muster all the resilience they can to turn the tide against a Pelicans squad that’s beginning to hit its stride.