The Utah Jazz host the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night at the Delta Center. They come into this game off a three-game losing streak and are facing a team that has won their last two games against the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors.
Utah once again has several injury concerns. Markkanen is dealing with a right ankle sprain and a right hip injury after suffering an injury during practice, joining Keyonte George as questionable on the official injury list.
Players like Walker Kessler, Jaren Jackson Jr., Vince Williams Jr. and Jusuf Nurkic are out. Meanwhile, the Pelicans are in better shape in terms of injuries. Trey Murphy III and Yves Missy join Hunter Dickinson and Trey Alexander, who are both out on G League assignment.
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Lauri Markkanen remains a game-time decision despite playing with 29 points against the Rockets. The Jazz (18-40) are floundering and trying to snap a three-game losing streak, while the Pelicans (17-42) are starting to find their rhythm, having won two in a row and five of their last 10 games.
When healthy, Markkanen has been nothing short of spectacular. The Finnish star is averaging 26.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game on the season. The offensive burden has fallen on George in George's absence as both players have struggled with injuries. He is averaging 23.8 points and 6.5 assists per night.
The Jazz lost all three meetings to New Orleans last season, and may need their best player to avoid a similar fate in this first matchup of the current campaign.
jazz injury report
Keyonte George: Questionable (right ankle; sprain)
Jaren Jackson Jr.: Out (left knee; recovering from injury)
Walker Kessler: Out (left shoulder; recovering from injury)
Lauri Markkanen: Questionable (right ankle; sprain/right hip injury)
Jusuf Nurkic: Out (nose; recovering from injury)
Vince Williams Jr.: Out (left knee; injury management)
pelicans injury report
Trey Alexander: Out (G League - Two-Way)
Hunter Dickinson: Out (G League - Two-Way)
Yves Missy: out (left calf; strain)
Trey Murphy III: out (right shoulder; contusion)
