SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen was trigger-happy early in the first quarter against the Toronto Raptors and showed why he is a difference-maker when healthy.
Markkanen scored nine of Utah’s first nine points and did so efficiently, knocking down 60 percent of his threes.
We’re seeing a very aggressive Lauri Markkanen who has nine early on points on 3-6 shooting in the first 5 minutes of the game.
The @utahjazz lead the @raptors 14-10. #takenotepic.twitter.com/XIr52P1jU5
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 15, 2025
In just his second game back from injury, the Finnish forward came out with a vengeance.
After scoring just 14 points against Memphis on Wednesday, it has been over a month since Markkanen has scored 30 in a game.
With nine points in less than five minutes, he was an early threat to reach that mark on Friday.
Mitä kuuluu???
just a few @markkanenlauri threes to get us started 🇫🇮 pic.twitter.com/Ddtpuzp8Fz
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 15, 2025
Utah shot 50 percent from the field and over 60 percent from deep early. Toronto shot under 40 and 20 percent.
With help from Kyle Filipowski, Jordan Clarkson, and Cody Williams, Markkanen and the Jazz jumped out to a 21-15 lead through eight minutes.
Jazz Host Raptors For Quick Stop At Delta Center
The Utah Jazz look to avoid tying a season-long losing streak as they host the Toronto Raptors on Friday.
Currently, after a seven-game skid, Utah holds the worst record in the Western Conference and the second-worst record in the NBA. The Jazz endured their longest winless stretch of the season in the second half of January, going eight games and 19 days without a victory.
Things aren’t much better up north. The Raptors are the fifth-worst team in the East and the 24th team overall. Although they are just one spot out of the postseason picture, they trail the 10-seed by five full games, making a late playoff push almost impossible. Instead, Toronto has shifted its focus toward lottery positioning.
This is the second and final matchup between Utah and Toronto this season. The Raptors took the first matchup last Friday, winning 118-109 on their home floor.
Utah Jazz Gameday Reading
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Tonight’s game against the Raptors is being televised on KJZZ, streamed on SEG+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
Find KSLSports.com coverage of the Jazz here.
Chandler Holt is a co-host of theJazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer forKSLSports.com. FollowChandler on Xfor Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.
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