Lauri Markkanen delivered another dominant performance, scoring 42 points to power Finland past Poland 97-88 in a EuroBasket 2025 preparation game.
The Utah Jazz forward was nearly flawless, hitting 10-of-17 from the field and an impressive 19-of-20 from the free-throw line. He also pulled down 12 rebounds in just 24 minutes of action.
The victory marked Finland’s third straight win in their exhibition campaign, with Markkanen continuing to look unstoppable against international competition.
Through three contests, the All-Star is averaging 40.3 points per game, a scoring pace that puts him in rare company, according to FIBA. Greece legend Nikos Galis still holds the EuroBasket single-tournament scoring record with 37.0 points per game, set in 1987.
Finland has leaned heavily on Markkanen’s offensive efficiency, and his ability to draw fouls has been a critical factor. Against Poland, he lived at the line, converting nearly every opportunity to extend his team’s lead.
The Finnish star’s dominance comes just weeks before the start of EuroBasket 2025, which will run from August 27 to September 14 across four host countries: Cyprus, Finland, Poland, and Latvia.
Finland will compete in Group B, based in Tampere, alongside Germany, Lithuania, Sweden, Great Britain, and Montenegro. The group stage begins on August 27, when Finland faces Sweden in their opener.
The Jazz forward is coming off a 2024–25 NBA season where he averaged 19.0 points and 5.9 rebounds, a dip from his 2022–23 breakout All-Star campaign.
