As Phoenix takes on Utah on the road on Monday night, it will look to build on their spectacular victory over Philadelphia earlier in the day.
The latest Injury Report for Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns
Until beating the 76ers 125-105 on Saturday, the Suns had dropped six straight games.
After Saturday’s 121-113 setback in Sacramento, Utah has now lost three straight games.
Going into the last stretch of the season, the Utah Jazz (35-39) and the Phoenix Suns (39-35) share a few similarities.
When it comes to making the playoffs, both teams are still very much in the mix. Both are missing major members but doing their best to compensate.
FOR THE JAZZ
The Suns ended a three-game losing streak on Saturday night against the 76ers, and the Jazz hope to do the same in Monday’s matchup in Salt Lake City.
Despite being without Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, and Collin Sexton on Saturday in Sacramento, Utah nearly pulled off an upset.
Walker Kessler, a first-year player, led the comeback and had one of his best games in franchise history.
Kessler led Utah to within striking distance in the fourth quarter before the Kings pulled away thanks to 31 points on 14-of-16 shooting and 11 rebounds.
Ochai Agbaji, a rookie, contributed 20 points, and Jarrell Brantley had 13.
In the history of the Jazz, Kessler is the first rookie to score at least 30 points and grab 10+ rebounds. Utah acquired the big man as part of the package they sent to Minnesota in exchange for three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, and he has turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
While the Suns have firmly maintained the No. 4 seed, the Jazz are still hovering on the brink of qualification for one of the four play-in spots.
What do you think of the Jazz’s game plan for Monday’s contest? I was wondering if Lauri Markkanen would be playing tonight.
Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Markkanen’s status for Monday’s game against the Suns is in doubt due to a hand injury.
Markkanen has missed the last two games because of a hand injury, but he may be able to play in Monday’s game. If he is unable to return, Simone Fontecchio and Talen Horton-Tucker will receive expanded playing time.
Let’s check out the Jazz’s injury report for tonight.
| PLAYER | INJURY |
STATUS
|
| Rudy Gay | Back |
Expected to be out until at least Mar 29
|
| Lauri Markkanen | Hand |
Game Time Decision
|
| Collin Sexton | Hamstring |
Expected to be out until at least Mar 29
|
| Jordan Clarkson | Finger |
Expected to be out until at least Mar 29
|
- RELATED: Will Brandon Ingram and Damian Lillard join tonight’s game? Injury Update Pelicans – Blazers
FOR THE SUNS
Even without Kevin Durant and Deandre Ayton, Phoenix blew out Philadelphia, 125-105, on Saturday.
Bismack Biyombo’s 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks were the deciding factor in the Suns’ victory. To help snap a losing streak, Devin Booker scored 29 points. Six of Phoenix’s last seven were defeats.
The Suns’ strong fourth quarter helped them beat the Sixers by a score of 36-22.
Both of November’s games between Phoenix and Utah came down to the final possession or shot.
Despite Booker’s 49 points, Utah won 134-133 at home. A week later, Phoenix held serve in Phoenix, winning 113-112.
Devin Booker, a pivotal member of the Suns, will almost probably participate in tonight’s matchup with the Jazz.
Although not scoring in double figures for the ninth time this month, Booker still put up a respectable stat line because to his work in other areas.
The data show that Booker still ranks well as a scoring threat in the NBA. Since the beginning of March, he’s shot an efficient (but likely unsustainable) 57.9 percent from the field and averaged 33.4 points per game.
In preparation for tonight’s game, let’s take a look at the injured list for the Suns.
| PLAYER | INJURY |
STATUS
|
| Deandre Ayton | Hip |
Game Time Decision
|
| Kevin Durant | Ankle |
Expected to be out until at least Mar 29
|
