Utah Jazz's Lauri Markkanen to Miss Monday's Game Against Sacramento Kings

The Utah Jazz will be without their surprising All-Star for at least one more game. The team officially updated their injury report and downgraded forward Lauri Markkanen to OUT with back soreness for tonight's matchup with the Sacramento Kings.

UPDATED Jazz Injury Report (as of 3/20):

*OUT - Lauri Markkanen (back soreness)

OUT - Jordan Clarkson (left hand - fourth finger sprain)

OUT - Micah Potter (G League - Two-Way)

OUT - Collin Sexton (left hamstring strain)
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 20, 2023

Markkanen has been a sturdy and steady presence for the Jazz this season, averaging 25.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game with a .645 true shooting percentage over 63 appearances. His leap forward this season is one of the most pleasant surprises in the NBA this year: prior to joining the Jazz this offseason, he had averaged 15.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists with a .570 true shooting percentage over 282 appearances with the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Jazz will also be without Jordan Clarkson, the team's second-leading scorer, and Collin Sexton, the team's third-leading scorer. They're facing a Sacramento Kings team tonight that currently sits second in the Western Conference standings and sports the NBA's highest-scoring offense (121.1 points per game). The Jazz are 34-36 and eleventh in the Western Conference; they could overextend themselves and push for a spot in the play-in tournament, but they may be better off closing up shop and focusing on next season.

Markkanen will have a chance to return to action Wednesday when the Jazz host the Portland Trail Blazers.