Lauri Markkanen was upgraded from out to day-to-day early Thursday with a right wrist injury. The injury report lists Oct. 31 as his expected return, the day the Jazz host the Trail Blazers.
What happened
Lauri Markkanen was upgraded to day-to-day on the injury report at 12:58 a.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 29. The Jazz forward has a right wrist injury. He was listed as out on Wednesday, one day after he first showed up as day-to-day with the wrist on Tuesday. The report's note said Markkanen (wrist) was out for Wednesday's game against the Spurs. The injury report lists Oct. 31 as his expected return. This is his second issue of the season. He was day-to-day with a neck problem on Oct. 6 and was cleared on Oct. 12.
What it means for the Jazz
Utah hosts the Trail Blazers next, on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 3 p.m. ET. The Jazz are 1-4, the 13th seed, and have lost three straight. Markkanen is averaging 16.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 28.6 minutes through four games. Utah is 1-3 with him and 0-1 without him. Keyonte George has led the way without him, at 32.9 minutes and 24.4 points. Ace Bailey (29.7 minutes, 14.2 points) and Darryn Peterson (28.7, 12.8) have also played big minutes. Jaren Jackson Jr. (26.1 minutes, 16.3 points) is now out with a right knee injury. That leaves more of the frontcourt to Jaxson Hayes (27.1 minutes) and Mo Bamba (22.1).
What to watch
The next injury report before Saturday will show whether Markkanen is cleared to face the Trail Blazers. The report's expected return date of Oct. 31 is the same day as that game. Because he is day-to-day, the call is still open. The Jazz are also missing Jaren Jackson Jr. (right knee), Jusuf Nurkic (right foot) and Trey Alexander (left knee), who are all listed as out. Utah takes a three-game losing streak into Saturday.
Is Lauri Markkanen playing vs the Trail Blazers on Oct. 31?
He is day-to-day with a right wrist injury. The injury report lists Oct. 31 as his expected return, the same day as the game. A final decision has not been announced.
When will Lauri Markkanen be back?
The injury report lists Oct. 31 as his expected return. That is the day the Jazz host the Trail Blazers at 3 p.m. ET.