Jazz-Kings Injury Report: Markkanen, Clarkson, & Monk Update

The Utah Jazz are limping to the finish line.

The Utah Jazz hit the road on Easter Sunday to face the Sacramento Kings. Both teams will be missing key contributors heading into the contest. 

The Jazz will be without Lauri Markkanen (shoulder) and Jordan Clarkson (back), while John Collins is (questionable). As for the Kings, Malik Monk is out, and Trey Lyles (knee) and Sasha Vezenkov (ankle) are questionable. 

The Jazz only have right left before they start what should be a busy off-season. Utah currently has three selections in the 2024 NBA draft and plenty of cap space to play with in the free-agent market. Also, Markkanen could be up for an extension to keep them in Salt Lake City for the foreseeable future.

However, the Jazz may want to hold off on their best player's big payday until he proves he's more durable. Markkanen has always had injury issues, and a Jazz beat writer reported that he will most likely miss the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury.

Markkanen is still under contract through the 2024-25 season, and Utah may want to take the side of caution before offering him a max contract. Despite a solid season, Markkanen’s numbers are slightly slightly down from his first season in Salt Lake City. He's averaging 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 33.1 minutes per game while shooting 48% from the field and 39.9% from three-point range.

With the loss of Markkanen, the oddsmakers have Utah pegged as a 12.5-point underdog, and the tip-off time is at 7:00 pm MST.