Jazz Face Wizards Without Key Players

Utah Jazz's Lauri Markkanen will miss the upcoming games against the Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics due to personal reasons, leaving the team without a key player for the foreseeable future. In a strategic move, the Jazz have decided to rest Walker Kessler for the game against the Wizards, though he was initially expected to play. The Jazz, currently on a 10-game losing streak, are focusing on player development as they contend for a top draft pick alongside the Wizards, who are in a similar position. With Markkanen and Kessler unavailable, players like Cody Williams, Kyle Filipowski, and Micah Potter are poised to see more on-court action. The Jazz's frontcourt remains shorthanded with additional absences, including KJ Martin and John Collins, potentially leading to increased roles for other bench players. Both teams are navigating lengthy injury reports as they prioritize long-term development over immediate results.