The Utah Jazz face the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday, April 7 at Smoothie King Center with a heavily depleted roster. Utah enters the game after consecutive blowout losses, including a 111-146 defeat at Oklahoma City and a 106-140 loss in Houston.
The Jazz will be without multiple starters, including Lauri Markkanen (right hip impingement), Walker Kessler (left shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic (nose), Jaren Jackson Jr. (left knee), Elijah Harkless (left hamstring), and Keyonte George (right hamstring). Ace Bailey and Kyle Filipowski are listed as questionable, which could further limit Utah’s rotation. Isaiah Collier is out with a left hamstring strain.
New Orleans also struggles with injuries, particularly in its backcourt and frontcourt. Bryce McGowens (right small toe) and Trey Murphy III (right ankle) are ruled out, while Karlo Matkovic (low back) and Dejounte Murray (left hand) are questionable.
The Pelicans are coming off two straight losses, 108-112 to Orlando and 113-117 to Sacramento.
The Jazz’s scoring load will likely shift to Brice Sensabaugh, who averages 14.8 points per game, and Bailey if he suits up. Markkanen leads the team with 26.7 points and nearly seven rebounds per contest, but his absence would create a major gap in the frontcourt.
For New Orleans, Zion Williamson continues to anchor the frontcourt with 21 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Saddiq Bey (17.7 points) and Murphy III (21.5 points) are key perimeter threats, though the latter’s ankle injury could force others into a larger scoring role.
Season series favors the Pelicans, who won both meetings against Utah, 115-105 and 129-118.
