The Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers enter Sunday’s matchup at Crypto.com Arena dealing with significant injury concerns, with multiple starters and key rotation players ruled out or listed as questionable.
Utah’s injury report is extensive, with eight players officially ruled out, including leading scorer Lauri Markkanen, who is sidelined with a right hip impingement. The forward averages 26.7 points and 6.9 rebounds, making his absence a major blow to an already thin rotation.
The Jazz will also be without starting guard Keyonte George, who is averaging 23.6 points and 6.1 assists, due to a right hamstring strain. That removes Utah’s primary playmaker and one of its top perimeter scoring threats.
Frontcourt depth is also heavily impacted, as Walker Kessler (left shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic (nose), and Jaren Jackson Jr. (left knee) are all out.
Utah’s backcourt depth takes another hit with Isaiah Collier and Elijah Harkless both ruled out due to hamstring injuries. Collier leads the team with 7.2 assists per game, further straining ball-handling responsibilities.
On the Lakers’ side, Luka Doncic is out with a left hamstring strain, removing the team’s offensive centerpiece. The guard is averaging 33.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.7 rebounds, and his absence shifts the offensive load significantly.
Austin Reaves is also unavailable due to a left oblique strain. He has been a consistent secondary scorer at 23.3 points per game, creating another gap in perimeter production.
LeBron James is listed as questionable with left foot injury management. The 41-year-old forward is averaging 21.0 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds, and his availability will likely determine the Lakers’ offensive structure.
Jaxson Hayes is also questionable with a left foot issue, which could impact frontcourt depth behind Deandre Ayton, who averages 12.3 points and 8.0 rebounds on 67.0% shooting.
Despite the injuries, Los Angeles enters the game in strong form, winning its last two contests, including a 101-73 victory over Phoenix and a 119-103 road win against Golden State. Utah, meanwhile, is coming off a 147-101 win over Memphis but has struggled overall with a 22-59 record.
The Lakers have also won all three previous meetings this season, including a 140-126 win in November and a 143-135 victory in December, indicating a consistent scoring edge in the matchup.
Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM ET in Los Angeles.
