SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Jazz top scorer Lauri Markkanen will be sidelined Thursday evening against the Los Angeles Lakers because of a right groin strain.
Markkanen boasts a career-high average of 27.8 points, and his absence is a setback for Utah’s hopes of achieving three consecutive victories for the first time this season.
Increased playing time should be forthcoming for third-year forward Taylor Hendricks and second-year center Kyle Filipowski as the Jazz have recently transitioned to showcasing their younger talents.
Initially, Markkanen was marked as questionable on the injury report, but the Jazz confirmed his absence Thursday afternoon.
The injury does not appear to be severe and this will only be the second game the Jazz forward misses this season. He also missed the Dec. 7 defeat to Oklahoma City due to illness.
