The Utah Jazz are facing a tough stretch as injuries continue to pile up. Lauri Markkanen, their standout forward and former All-Star, is currently being evaluated for injuries to his right ankle and hip. These setbacks occurred during a practice session, and an MRI is on the horizon to assess the severity.
Markkanen has been a key player for the Jazz since joining the team from the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Donovan Mitchell trade back in September 2022. This season, he's been on fire, posting a career-high average of 26.7 points per game while shooting 47.7% from the field and hitting 35.5% from beyond the arc over 42 games.
The Jazz's frontcourt is already stretched thin, with Jaren Jackson Jr., Walker Kessler, and Jusuf Nurkic all sidelined for the rest of the season. Adding to their woes, fourth-year guard Vince Williams Jr. is also out after tearing his ACL in a recent game against the Houston Rockets.
With a record of 18-40, Utah holds the sixth-worst standing in the league. Their 2026 first-round draft pick is top-eight protected, adding another layer of complexity to their current situation. The Jazz will need to navigate these challenges carefully as they look to the future.