Lauri Markkanen Has Monster Game for Jazz

Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen has quite the stat line during Utah’s 120-119 overtime victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in a performance that may have many Jazz fans remembering Hall of Famer Karl Malone’s days with the team.

Markkanen poured in 43 points and grabbed 10 rebounds on 15-for-28 shooting and a perfect 10-for-10 at the free throw line, becoming the first Jazz player to notch those numbers in a game since Malone, according to StatMuse.

Markkanen scored 18 points in the fourth quarter alone, helping the Jazz rally from a nine-point deficit to take the victory.

“Yeah, I’m more confident,” Markkanen said following the game (h/t Associated Press). “My mindset going into games is go make a difference and be a finisher.”

“He’s played with a tremendous amount of aggressiveness,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “His physicality has gone up as the season has gone on.”