Lauri

Markkanen

Markkanen has had some struggles this season, and he hasn’t been able to replicate his production from his first two years in Utah. However, he got back on track in this game. This was his highest scoring outing since he had 35 in the season opener, and he has scored at least 25 points in three of their last four games. Markkanen is one of the best players in fantasy basketball, so it is good to see him shake off the slow start and get back to producing at a high level. He’ll look to keep it up against the Knicks on Saturday.

Markkanen has shot 50% or better from the field in five straight games. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, the production has not increased as much as they’d like. Markkanen’s averaging 11.0 shots per game in November, two fewer than his number in October. That may not seem like much, but a player of his caliber should be the unquestioned primary scoring option. Markkanen is ranked fourth on the Jazz in shots per game for the season.

After falling one rebound short in two of his first three games, Markkanen finally notched his first double-double of the season on Sunday. Back and eye injuries have done him no favors, as the Jazz star heads into Week 5 ranked outside the top 100 in 9-cat per-game value. Utah plays three games next week, beginning with the Lakers on Tuesday.

Markkanen exited Thursday’s win over the Mavericks during the fourth quarter with a left eye contusion and was initially questionable for Saturday. He didn’t do as much shooting, but the efficiency was there for the Jazz forward. That’s good news for fantasy managers, as Markkanen is a player from whom many expect to receive 3rd-round value. Utah plays three games in Week 5, beginning with the Lakers on Tuesday.

Markkanen exited early from their last game after an inadvertent poke to the eye, but it won’t keep him sidelined for this one. He’ll take on his usual role, which means that Cody Williams won’t have a chance to start in his place.

Markkanen exited Thursday’s win over the Mavericks early in the fourth quarter and did not return after being hit in the face. Vision issues are why he could not return Thursday night and is on the preliminary injury report for Saturday night. With Kyle Filipowski already in the starting lineup, Markkanen missing time could result in Cody Williams getting another opportunity to prove himself.

The Jazz never officially announced that Markkanen would not return after exiting Thursday’s game during the fourth quarter, but he never returned to the bench after a trip to the locker room. Markkanen was inadvertently hit in the face by Naji Marshall after corralling a rebound and appeared to be struggling with his vision. The Jazz still have games to play on Saturday and Sunday, and navigating those contests will be more difficult if Markkanen misses time.

Having taken a hard fall during Saturday’s win over San Antonio, Markkanen showed no ill effects on Tuesday. He didn’t have the most impactful game against the Suns, but the field goal percentage and assists were solid. That said, fantasy managers did not draft Markkanen (Yahoo ADP: 30) looking for “solid” value. He’s shooting 38.9% from the field, a big reason why he’s ranked outside the top 100 in per-game value.

Markkanen didn’t shoot the ball well from the field in Saturday’s one-point win, but that should not concern fantasy managers. What should concern managers is the hard fall he took on his hip/lower back during the fourth quarter. While Markkanen remained in the game after the ensuing timeout, the hope is that the back spasms don’t return. If there is an issue between now and Tuesday’s game against the Suns, Kyle Filipowski (eight points, five rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one 3-pointer in 25 minutes) would be the next man up.

Active after missing three games due to back spasms, Markkanen struggled in Milwaukee. However, fantasy managers should take solace in him playing 29 minutes without issue. He’ll have better nights offensively. As for Kyle Filipowski, who filled in for Markkanen, the rookie only played three minutes on Thursday. There’s no need to keep Filipowski on your fantasy roster.