The Utah Jazz are gearing up for a matchup against the Houston Rockets as they return from the weekend, having hopeful expectations for improvements on their injury report compared to their last outing against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Jazz injury report features a mix of statuses that could significantly impact their performance. Jusuf Nurkic is officially out as he continues to manage a nose injury, while Keyonte George has been upgraded to questionable after dealing with a right ankle sprain. Lauri Markkanen, who missed the previous game due to illness, is listed as probable. With both George and Markkanen potentially returning, their presence could provide a significant boost for the Jazz, who rely heavily on their scoring expertise. Together, they average over 50 points per game this season, and their availability would help to restore some normalcy to Will Hardy’s rotation.
Keyonte George has faced a challenging season, missing seven of the last eight games due to multiple ankle sprains. After a period of recovery, he may be ready to rejoin his teammates. Meanwhile, Kyle Filipowski is expected to step in for Nurkic, having scored 20 points along with six rebounds, four assists, and two steals in his last start against the Grizzlies.
On the Rockets’ side, the injury report shows Steven Adams and Fred VanVleet as out for the game due to a left ankle injury and ACL recovery, respectively. Additionally, Jae’Sean Tate has been ruled out after suffering a knee injury in their recent game against the New York Knicks. While Tate has played a limited role this season, averaging just 2.7 points and 1.4 rebounds in about 8.4 minutes per game, his absence still adds to the injury woes of Houston.
The tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Toyota Center, with the Jazz appearing to have a fresher lineup heading into the contest. Fans can look forward to an exciting game as both teams navigate through their injury challenges.