Two teams from different conferences, each hoping to make a playoff push at the end of the regular season, square off on the basketball court in Utah. The Milwaukee Bucks are away from home tonight as they travel to Salt Lake City to take on the Jazz.
The latest injury update for Milwaukee Bucks and Utah Jazz
The red-hot Milwaukee Bucks rolled to a 130-94 home win over the Spurs on Wednesday night, while Utah was beaten 127-115 at home by Portland same day.
The Jazz lead the regular season series with the Bucks but have lost the last two games.
Milwaukee Bucks blew out San Antonio at home, covering the league’s largest point spread this season, and won their second straight game.
The Bucks had a 52-20 record heading into Thursday, giving them a seven-game lead over the Cavaliers in the Central Division. In the Eastern Conference, they were atop the standings by a margin of 2.5 games over Boston.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo – Active
In 24 minutes of action, Giannis Antetokounmpo was the team’s top performer with 31 points (14-23 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-5 FT), 14 boards, 2 helpers, and 1 block.
Despite playing only half the game due to the blowout, Antetokounmpo made quick work of the Spurs.
He was nearing a double-double at the half (18 points, 9) and kept it up in his limited second-half action to lead both teams in scoring and rebounding.
The All-Star center has recorded at least 30 points in four of his last five games and double-digit boards in three of his last four contests this month.
- READ MORE: Injury Report Lakers – Thunder: Will Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell continue to shine?
Before being swept by Portland on Wednesday night in Utah, the Jazz had won two straight and four of their previous five games. With a new record of 35-37, the Jazz are now 13.5 games behind the Denver Nuggets for the Northwest Division lead and are in fourth place.
They were 13.5 games out of first place behind the Denver Nuggets, 2 games out of the final guaranteed playoff spot behind the Golden State Warriors, and 0.5 games out of the final play-in tournament spot behind the Los Angeles Lakers.
- Lauri Markkanen – Out vs. Bucks
Due to a hand injury, Lauri Markkanen will not play this Friday against Milwaukee.
Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Markkanen said after Wednesday’s 127-115 loss to the Trail Blazers that X-rays on his left hand came back negative.
He played well, scoring 40 points, grabbing 12 boards, and dishing out three assists in 33 minutes, but his injury will force him to miss at least one game.
While it is unclear whether Markkanen will be able to return Saturday against the Kings, Ochai Agbaji, Simone Fontecchio, and Talen Horton-Tucker could all see increased playing time against the Bucks.
Jazz injuries:
- Johnny Juzang (Hip) – Questionable
- Collin Sexton (Hamstring) – Out
- Lauri Markkanen (Hand) – Out
- Jordan Clarkson (Finger) – Out
- Rudy Gay (Back) – Out
Bucks injuries:
- Khris Middleton (Knee) – Out
- Goran Dragic (Knee) – Out
- Jae Crowder (Calf) – Out
- Meyers Leonard (Calf) – Out
