Lauri Markkanen leaves the game due to a left knee injury and would not return
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen was forced to leave Tuesday’s game late in the fourth quarter after colliding with San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama. Markkanen had to be helped to the locker room with what the team called a left knee contusion.
The Jazz lost to the Spurs, 128-115, in an Emirates NBA Cup Group Play game and were eliminated from NBA Cup contention.
Lauri Markkanen (left knee contusion) will not return.
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 27, 2024
Jazz coach Will Hardy confirmed the news at his postgame press conference.
“As of now, it’s a contusion,” Hardy said.
Before leaving the game, the 27-year-old had 14 points and eight rebounds in just over 33 minutes of action.
For the season, Markkanen is averaging 19.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists on 47.6% shooting from the field and 44.6% from beyond the arc.
It’s unclear if Markkanen can play Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets (9 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass).
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
