Tonight, the Utah Jazz host the Los Angeles Lakers at the Delta Center, hoping to extend a three-game winning streak after beating the Memphis Grizzlies and the Dallas Mavericks. However, the team has hit an unfortunate setback. Star forward Lauri Markkanen is missing tonight’s game with an injury.

According to the team, Markkanen was previously listed as ‘questionable’ on the injury report and was downgraded to out with a groin injury. This is a maintenance day for Markkanen, a common occurrence he has experienced frequently during the 2024-25 season, and he is expected to return to the lineup against the Orlando Magic.

He has been having a bounce-back season this year, averaging a career-high 27.8 points per game, 7 rebounds, and a steal each. He has led the Jazz to 10 wins in 25 games, a solid improvement from last year’s record so far, but with him out, their competitiveness is in jeopardy.

The team has undergone a major turnaround in recent weeks, winning five of their last eight games after Thanksgiving, led by Markkanen and breakout scoring from guard Keyonte George, who scored back-to-back 30-point games against the Grizzlies and Mavericks.

This also marks Markkanen’s second missed game this season. Apart from him, the Jazz are also missing Walker Kessler, who is recovering from surgery for a torn left labrum, as well as Georges Niang, who is sidelined with a fourth metatarsal stress reaction in his left foot, and is set to be re-evaluated in two weeks.

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The Los Angeles Lakers are without starting guard Austin Reaves (left calf strain) and starting center Deandre Ayton (left elbow soreness) for their matchup against the Jazz.

Ayton’s absence significantly weakens the Lakers’ interior defense and rebounding. Ayton has been a key rim protector and rebounder for LA this season (averaging around 15 points and 9 rebounds), and without him, the Jazz’s big men—like Jusuf Nurkic (healthy and off the injury report) can operate more freely in the paint for scoring and second-chance opportunities.

The Lakers become thinner at center, relying on backups like Jaxson Hayes, which reduces their ability to contest drives and control the glass against Utah’s frontcourt.

With Markkanen missing time, the Jazz are instead starting reserve Svi Mykhailiuk, with Kyle Anderson and Taylor Hendricks also being candidates who can receive extended minutes.

Why the San Antonio Spurs Are Suddenly the Team to Watch for Lauri Markkanen

The San Antonio Spurs have emerged as a favorite to land Lauri Markkanen, who has been one of the league’s premier trade targets since his first All-Star season in Utah, and as an established star, Jazz GM Danny Ainge is likely to ask for a massive price in exchange for him.

The Spurs, who have emerged as a solid contender in the Western Conference after beating the 24-1 Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinals, need to build around Victor Wembanyama and their guard room.

Markkanen’s shooting gravity would immediately give the team open lanes for Victor Wembanyama to operate while also giving the Spurs a major scoring threat who can play completely off-ball.

This fit is why the Spurs are seen as favorites, despite teams like the Golden State Warriors monitoring the situation.

Unlike the Warriors, the Spurs have cap flexibility, draft capital, and the timeline to justify a major investment, and Markkanen aligns with where the team wants to go competitively, alleviating the offensive load on Wembanyama so he can further his defensive dominance.

The real question is the cost. Ainge, known for charging heavy prices for his stars, will likely demand a king’s ransom for Markkanen’s services, but if the Spurs are serious about contention, this kind of swing will define a shift.

Pairing Markkanen with Wembanyama would give them a monstrous front-court, and a signal to the league that San Antonio is ready to build something real.