Jazz Will Return Star Player vs Raptors, Other Remain Questionable

The Utah Jazz will have Lauri Markkanen back Saturday night against the Toronto Raptors but lingering injuries remain to other key players

The Utah Jazz appear to be riding into Toronto a tad shorthanded Saturday night when they take on the Raptors at Scotiabank Arena.

Rookie first-round pick Keyonte George has been ruled out with left foot inflammation. It’ll be the sixth straight game George has missed with the injury after starting the season as one of the league’s most exciting rookie prospects.

Jordan Clarkson and Talen Horton-Tucker are both listed as questionable to play. Clarkson has missed six straight games with a right hamstring strain, but his return appears to be imminent. He’d been Utah’s second-highest scorer this season, averaging 16.6 points per game prior to the injury.

As for Horton-Tucker, the fifth-year guard is battling a left foot injury. He missed Utah’s most recent game against the Detroit Pistons.

Lauri Markkanen is off the injury report after missing four straight games for the Jazz. He’ll be back against Toronto after battling a hamstring injury.

The Raptors have yet to release their injury report as they’ll be on the second night of a back-to-back. Christian Koloko is the only player expected to be out due to injury. It’s unclear if Otto Porter Jr. will play after a 15-minute showing on Friday. Toronto has generally opted to play it safe with Porter and keep him out of back-to-back games so far this year.

Chris Boucher may find his way back into the rotation after a one-game absence, especially if Porter does not play.

The Raptors are -5.5 point favorites with an implied win probability of 68.8%.