Utah Jazz

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.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (foot) is considered questionable for Saturday's matchup against the Heat. He was out of the lineup for the ninth time this season on Thursday against Orlando, having sustained a right foot sprain. Luka Samanic broke into the rotation without Kessler on Thursday, posting eight points and four rebounds in 12 minutes, but he's far from a good fantasy option. Saturday's matchup, in general, is an ugly one for the Jazz bigs, as Miami has Bam Adebayo, a four-time All-Defensive Second Team member, roaming around. With him guarding the paint, the Heat have limited centers to a league-low 19.0 points per 48 minutes this season.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (foot) is out for Thursday's matchup against the Orlando Magic. Kessler hasn't been inactive since Dec. 11, but a sprained right foot will keep him out on Thursday. The 22-year-old paint presence's role in head coach Will Hardy's rotation and an oversized Jazz frontcourt has fluctuated all season long, and over his last 13 contests (four starts), he's logging only 21.6 minutes per game but averaging 8.8 points on 66.2% shooting from the field, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.8 swats. His next chance to return arrives on Saturday against the Miami Heat. The stifling Magic defense ranks sixth in the NBA in opponent points per game (110.3), so while there's added fantasy value on the table for Jordan Clarkson as Utah's clear-cut sixth man on Thursday, it's an imposing matchup that could shy away DFS rostership on the eight-game slate.