Lauri Markkanen To Be Reevaluated In Two Weeks After MRI Reveals Hip Impingement

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen will be reevaluated in two weeks after an MRI on Thursday revealed symptomatic hip impingement with associated inflammation and a bone bruise, sources told ESPN. Markkanen also twisted his right ankle in practice Wednesday, though tests on that injury returned clean.

The setback is the latest in a mounting injury crisis for Utah. Over the past two weeks, the Jazz have lost forwards Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) and Jusuf Nurkic (nose) and guard Vince Williams Jr. (knee) to season-ending injuries. Keyonte George also missed Thursday's game against New Orleans with a right ankle sprain.

Markkanen leads the Jazz in scoring at 26.7 points per game this season, adding 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Utah entered Thursday at 18-40, the third-worst record in the Western Conference.

The Jazz are also navigating their injury issues following league discipline. The NBA fined Utah $500,000 stemming from games against the Orlando Magic on Feb. 7 and Miami Heat on Feb. 9, after the club benched Markkanen and Jackson in fourth quarters of competitive games. The league determined both players "were otherwise able to continue to play and the outcomes of the games were thereafter in doubt."