SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, the club’s leading scorer at 27.8 points per game, has been ruled out of Thursday night’s matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers because of a right groin strain.
The Jazz downgraded Markkanen from questionable to out on Thursday afternoon. The injury is not considered serious and will cost the 7-foot All-Star only his second game of the season; he previously missed the Dec. 7 loss to Oklahoma City due to illness.
With Markkanen sidelined, head coach Will Hardy is expected to expand the roles of third-year forward Taylor Hendricks and second-year center Kyle Filipowski as the team continues to spotlight its younger players. Utah is attempting to secure a third consecutive win for the first time this season.
Source: ESPN
