The Los Angeles Lakers (18-7) visit the Utah Jazz (10-15) on Thursday, December 18, at 9:00 p.m. ET at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. The Lakers enter on a one-game winning streak, while Utah looks to extend a two-game run.
Los Angeles will be without Deandre Ayton (left elbow soreness), Austin Reaves (left calf strain), and Bronny James, who is on a G League assignment. Maxi Kleber is probable with a lumbar strain, and Gabe Vincent is questionable with low back soreness.
Luka Doncic leads the team, averaging 34.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game. Rui Hachimura contributes 13.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest, while LeBron James adds 17.6 points and 7.2 assists. Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia provide depth, combining for 18.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
The Jazz have multiple absences shaping rotations: Walker Kessler (left shoulder), Georges Niang (left foot), and Elijah Harkless are out, while Lauri Markkanen is questionable with a right groin injury. John Tonje and Oscar Tshiebwe remain sidelined on two-way assignments.
Markkanen leads Utah with 27.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, supported by Keyonte George’s 23.5 points and 6.8 assists. Ace Bailey and Kyle Filipowski provide scoring and rebounding, while Jusuf Nurkic anchors the paint with 9.6 rebounds per contest.
The teams have met twice this season, with the Lakers winning 140-126 at home and 108-106 on the road.
