NBA Top Five Performances, Feb. 23: Lauri Markkanen Dropped 43 to Lead Utah Jazz To Overtime Victory

TOP PLAYERS OF THE DAY:

Lauri Markkanen went to Salt Lake City last weekend to participate in his first All-Star game.

He returned to Utah to showcase why he was selected this season. The Utah Jazz forward scored 43 points in the overtime win against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Markkanen had an 18-point fourth quarter when none of his teammates had more than two in the period. He made the go-ahead free throws in overtime to cap off a six-point performance in the extra period. Markkanen’s performance down the stretch showed his confidence in closing games out.

“I’m more confident,” Markkanen said. “My mindset going into games is to make a difference and be a finisher.”

OTHERS:

- Joel Embiid had a clutch performance against the Memphis Grizzlies with 27 points, 19 rebounds and six blocks. Embiid’s block and final score helped Philadelphia seal the win Thursday night after multiple double-digit comebacks.

- Despite the Indiana Pacers’ overtime loss to the Boston Celtics, Myles Turner tied his career-high in scoring with a 40-point performance. He shot 80 percent from the arc, hitting a career-high eight 3-pointers against Boston Thursday night.

- Domantas Sabonis had his seventh triple-double this season, ranking him third in the league in that category. Sabonis had 18 points, 10 assists and 18 rebounds in the Sacramento Kings’ win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

- Malik Beasley led the way for the Los Angeles Lakers in their cruising win over the short-handed Golden State Warriors. Beasley had 25 points on 7 of 11 shooting from 3-point range.

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.

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