It appears that both the Jazz and the Lakers will be undermanned for tonight’s contest in Utah. While Los Angeles will be without the services of Austin Reaves (calf) and Deandre Ayton (elbow), the Jazz will be forced to play with leading scorer Lauri Markkanen sidelined due to a lingering groin injury.
Honestly, just calling Markkanen Utah’s “leading scorer” is selling the veteran short. The former lottery pick has been incredible when available this season, averaging 27.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per contest, with the former good for the ninth-highest mark in the NBA. Markkanen also possesses a career-high 28.1% usage rate, so the Jazz will be scrambling to fill a massive void.
Markkanen and Utah last played on Monday, taking down the Mavericks 140-133 in a thrilling OT tilt. Markkanen dropped 33 points in the victory, but the main story was Keyonte George, who finished with 37 points and six dimes. With his teammate off the court in 2025-26, George’s usage rate jumps up to 31.7% and the third-year man produces an impressive 28.0 points per 75 possessions. George will need to thrive as the Jazz’s primary offensive option if the team has a chance to knock off the Lakers.
On the DraftKings Sportsbook, Utah is a 9.5-point underdog at home.
