The Utah Jazz host the Denver Nuggets in the second-to-last regular season game for both teams.
The Jazz are 36-44 and out of the playoffs, while the Nuggets are 52-28 and the conference’s top seed. This season, Denver has won two of three head-to-head meetings. The game will begin at 3:30 p.m. EDT at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City.
Update Injury for Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz were barely recognizable in their most recent games.
The Nuggets (52-28) did not play a single starter in their 119-115 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.
They’d already clinched the No. 1 Western Conference playoff seed, so the team rested Nikola Jokic (calf), Aaron Gordon (shoulder), Michael Porter Jr. (heel), Jamal Murray (thumb), and Kentavioius Caldwell-Pope (illness) against the Suns.
Nikola Jokic (calf) and Jamal Murray (thumb) are both doubtful for Saturday’s game against the Jazz.
Because the Nuggets have already clinched the Western Conference’s top seed, they may rest several key players in the final two games.
Meanwhile, the Jazz (36-44) were eliminated from postseason contention in a 114-98 home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder with a slew of players out.
Lauri Markkanen (hand), Jordan Clarkson (finger), Talen Horton-Tucker (ankle), and Walker Kessler (concussion) were among those who missed practice. Collin Sexton (hamstring) sat after returning from a one-game absence earlier in the week, and reserve Rudy Gay (back) also sat.
- Lauri Markkanen – Out
Lauri Markkanen (hand) has been ruled out of Saturday’s game against the Nuggets, according to Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune.
Markkanen will miss his third straight game due to a bruised hand, and with the Jazz out of the playoff picture, it would be surprising to see him suit up against the Lakers on Sunday.
During his first season with Utah, the 2017 first-round pick had a breakout season, scoring a career-high 25.6 points in 66 games.
With nothing on the line when Utah and Denver meet Saturday afternoon in Salt Lake City, it’s unclear who will play, especially since the Nuggets could benefit from rest more than another win and the Jazz could improve their draft position with a loss.
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Injury Report Jazz
| PLAYER | INJURY | STATUS |
| Talen Horton-Tucker | Ankle | Expected to be out until at least Apr 9 |
| Collin Sexton | Hamstring | Expected to be out until at least Apr 9 |
| Lauri Markkanen | Hand | Expected to be out until at least Apr 9 |
| Rudy Gay | Back | Expected to be out until at least Apr 9 |
| Kelly Olynyk | Rest | Expected to be out until at least Apr 9 |
| Jordan Clarkson | Finger | Expected to be out until at least Apr 9 |
| Walker Kessler | Concussion | Expected to be out until at least Apr 12 |
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Injury Report Nuggets
| PLAYER | INJURY | STATUS |
| Jamal Murray | Thumb | Game Time Decision |
| Bruce Brown | Knee | Game Time Decision |
| Michael Porter Jr. | Heel | Game Time Decision |
| Reggie Jackson | Back | Game Time Decision |
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | Illness | Game Time Decision |
| Nikola Jokic | Calf | Game Time Decision |
| Aaron Gordon | Shoulder | Game Time Decision |
| Collin Gillespie | Lower Leg | Expected to be out until at least Apr 15 |
