By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Utah Jazz listed Lauri Markkanen as out for the game versus the Oklahoma City Thunder in Paycom Center on Monday.
Markkanen, 26, is set to sit out an eighth consecutive game of the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season due to a left hamstring strain. Over the last seven contests, the Jazz are 3-4, including four losses over the last five showings.
The Finnish forward stuck to the sidelines sets up a demanding challenge for the team coached by Will Hardy, struggling to stay in the race for a spot in the Playoffs. He tallied 23.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.9 blocks per contest over 15 starts, before shifting to the injury list.
Covering for his teammate in the starting lineup, Italian Simone Fontecchio averaged 10.6 points per game over the seven-game stretch but has been held to 7.3 points per game over the last three outings. He will likely start against the Thunder. His sophomore campaign in the league based in North America features 7.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per contest.
Turkish Omer Yurtseven is expected to resurface among starters with Walker Kessler heading back to the sidelines due to right foot soreness. The 25-year-old center is averaging 4.9 points per game since signing with the Jazz after two years with the Miami Heat.
All remaining players, including Luka Samanic, are healthy. Coming off the bench to log ten games played, the Croatian forward produced 2.4 points per contest.
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