Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen has been diagnosed with two nondisplaced fractures in his right hand and will be reevaluated in four weeks, the team announced Wednesday, NBA.com reported.
Markkanen sustained the injury during Utah's Nov. 6 game against the Dallas Mavericks. Following further evaluation, the Jazz confirmed the diagnosis. The team did not provide a timetable for his return. The 29-year-old forward is averaging 18.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in eight games this season, shooting 39.7% from 3-point range. He scored 24 points and connected on eight 3-pointers in his most recent appearance against Dallas, NBA.com reported.
"There's no replacing Lauri," coach Will Hardy said. "I think we're going to have to do it in different ways. I think we need to maximize the skill sets of all the players that are playing." Markkanen is in his fifth season with Utah after four with Chicago and one with Cleveland. He was an All-Star in the 2022-23 season, his first with the Jazz, when he averaged 25.6 points and 8.6 rebounds and was named the NBA's Most Improved Player, NBA.com reported.