Jazz-Thunder Injury Report: Multiple Starters Ruled Out

The Utah Jazz team hit the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder down a couple of starters.

The Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder face off in the first of a two-game set on Friday night. Both teams will be missing key contributors heading into the contest.

Utah’s starting backcourt of Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson will be absent, while the Thunder will be missing their leading scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and backup forward Kenrich Williams.

Both teams are still in striking distance of a playoff spot, but are getting bitten by the injury bug at the wrong time. Gilgeous-Alexander hasn’t played since the first game back from the All-Star break that saw the Jazz outlast the Thunder, 120-119.

Meanwhile, Sexton hasn’t seen action since reinjuring his hamstring way back on February 15, while Clarkson will miss his second game in a row due to a sprained thumb.

The timing of these injuries is suspect, with only 19 games left to play and NBA draft position at stake in a loaded 2023 class. At this stage, we’ll give the two franchises the benefit of the doubt, but the injury reports will be worth keeping an eye on moving forward.

The Jazz will need to lean on Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler if they want to come out victorious. Utah’s bench is filled with either inexperience or players playing on the back nine of their careers. 

In Tuesday night's loss to the San Antonio Spurs, the backups combined for only 23 points on 22% shooting from the field. The Jazz will have to do better if there’s any chance to come out on the winning end Friday night.

Tip-off is at 6:00 pm MDT. 

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