Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (illness) isn't listed on the NBA's official injury report heading toward Monday's contest against the Washington Wizards. The veteran wasn't feeling well and didn't suit up on Saturday against the Miami Heat, allowing Talen Horton-Tucker to get more involved. Clarkson combined for just nine points in his previous two games, so fantasy managers may have concerns about putting him into their lineups. However, with Lauri Markkanen (hip) ruled out for Monday night, Clarkson could benefit significantly from a production standpoint.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (foot) won't play in Monday's game against the visiting Wizards. The 22-year-old will now miss his third consecutive contest because of a sprained foot. As a result, Taylor Hendricks should continue to fill the hole in the lineup. The 2023 No. 9 overall pick has shown flashes of promise in five starts this season, averaging 9.4 points and 5.8 rebounds. While Hendricks has a way to go before becoming a universal option for all fantasy lineups, he should remain more productive while Kessler is on the shelf.

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (quad) has been ruled out for Monday against the Washington Wizards. The All-Star wing hasn't missed a game since December 21 and even played a total of 40 minutes in their last contest on Saturday. With Walker Kessler (foot) also ruled out, the frontcourt is going to be very thin, and it's unclear at the moment how much time Markkanen will have to miss with this quad contusion. They'll likely opt for a smaller lineup with John Collins at center and Taylor Hendricks remaining in the starting power forward spot. Talen Horton-Tucker and Brice Sensabaugh are the two that are most likely to move into the starting five while Omer Yurtseven will get the backup center minutes.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (foot) is out for Saturday's tilt against the Miami Heat. A sprained right foot cost Kessler Thursday's loss to the Orlando Magic, and the second-year big man won't play on Saturday, either. Over his last 13 contests (four starts), Kessler is playing only 21.6 minutes per game but is offering 8.8 points on 66.2% shooting from the floor, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game, which is top-50 material in nine-category fantasy leagues. The 22-year-old defensive anchor aims to return on Monday versus the Washington Wizards. With Jordan Clarkson (illness) joining Kessler on the sidelines, the Jazz will lean on Lauri Markkanen and John Collins in the starting frontcourt, and Taylor Hendricks will have more leeway to build on his recent rise to the first unit. Over his last four games as a starter, Hendricks is averaging 9.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.5 threes in 26.9 minutes.

Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (illness) has been downgraded from questionable to out for Saturday's meeting with the Miami Heat. A late addition to the injury report, Clarkson won't be able to overcome an illness in time to suit up. Over Clarkson's last seven showings, the veteran combo guard is gathering 14.3 points, 6.3 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.9 treys in 32.6 minutes per game, and his next chance to return arrives in Monday's tilt versus the Washington Wizards. With Walker Kessler (foot) also out, Kris Dunn has a chance at extended run as Utah's clear sixth man off the bench. Dunn is facing a tough assignment and is only averaging 6.7 points, 2.3 dimes, 2.3 boards, and 1.6 steals in 20.1 minutes across his latest seven games, though. Miami runs the third-slowest offense in terms of pace (99.1) and ranks seventh in defensive efficiency (110.3), so this isn't the most appealing setup from a fantasy perspective.