Jazz Update Jordan Clarkson's Status for Magic Matchup

The Utah Jazz are still trying to shake the injury bug with a pair of starters in doubt for Thursday night's road tilt at the Orlando Magic. Shooting guard Jordan Clarkson (hand) and center Walker Kessler (illness) are listed as questionable vs. the Magic. Starting point guard Collin Sexton has been ruled out (hamstring).

As for Utah’s opponent, Orlando forward Admiral Schofield (concussion) is probable. The Jazz will be looking to snap their four-game skid, but will they?

The Jazz are stuck between a rock and a hard place in regard to how to play out the season. Utah is still within striking distance of making the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year.

Currently, Utah is only three games removed from the No. 6 seed and one game from qualifying for the play-in tournament. That being said, Utah may take its foot off the gas down the home stretch to increase its lottery odds.

Thursday night's opponent is also in a position where losing is winning. The Magic are fifth from the bottom, with tonight's contest having huge implications moving forward. A win by the Jazz would put them five games up on the Magic and most likely take them out of contention to beat out Orlando for draft positioning.

Heading into the contest, Orlando is a one-point favorite, but expect that number to rise if Kessler and Clarkson don’t suit up. With Sexton on tap to miss his seventh straight game, the Jazz have too many depth issues due to the trade that saw Mike Conley, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt leave town.

Tip-off is at 5:00 pm MDT.

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