Lauri Markkanen injury status and update ahead of Kings' game against the Jazz

Dec 8, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Dec 8, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

After losing their first game back from the break, the Sacramento Kings responded with arguably their best win of the season – besting the lowly Charlotte Hornets by 42 points. In that game, Zach LaVine finally found his groove, putting together easily his best performance as a member of the Kings and arguably the best performance of his career.  

Now, the Kings look to stockpile momentum before they get to the bumpier part of their schedule, and what better way to do that than with a game against the worst team in the Western Conference in the Utah Jazz?

But who will the Kings have for this game? What about the Jazz? Here is the full injury report ahead of this conference clash.

Sacramento Kings Injury Report

After a rocky start to the season in this category, the Sacramento Kings have been a pretty healthy team this season. Tonight won't be too different, as only one member of their rotation is in jeopardy of not playing.

According to their most recent injury report, Devin Carter, Isaac Jones, and Isaiah Crawford will not be available for this game due to their G-League obligations. However, this news isn't all that relevant to this game, as none of those guys have been part of the primary rotation since the LaVine trade.

The one player whose status is worth keeping an eye on for this game is Keon Ellis. Ellis has been a great two-way role player for the Kings this season. Unfortunately, Ellis hurt his ankle against the Hornets and did not return to this game. However, there is optimism that the player currently listed as questionable will suit up for this game.

Utah Jazz Injury Report

The Jazz's injury report isn't nearly as clean as what the Kings have going on. As to be expected with a young team that isn't necessarily trying to win, their injury sheet is littered with key contributors on any given night.

Tonight, those players are John Collins (low back injury management), Taylor Hendricks (leg), Lauri Markkanen (low back injury management), Collin Sexton (ankle), and Walker Kessler (illness). All of those players are listed as out, except Kessler, who is listed as questionable (giving him a roughly 50/50 chance of playing tonight).

Update: Both Ellis and Kessler will be available to play in this game after initially being ruled as questionable.

After this game, the Kings get some time off before traveling to play the Houston Rockets on Saturday, March 1.

Schedule