Utah Jazz DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (eye) is questionable for Saturday's showdown with the Sacramento Kings. The veteran hasn't met expectations during the 2024-25 campaign, averaging 16.3 points, considerably less than last season. He's also already missed three games, so another absence would be frustrating for fantasy managers. With that in mind, if the eye contusion keeps Markkanen out of the lineup, Cody Williams will likely take his spot. However, the 19-year-old has averaged only 4.6 points in seven starts this season, so he's not a trustworthy fantasy performer. Instead, Markkanen's absence should allow guys like Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, Keyonte George, and John Collins see a bump in fantasy production.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (hip) will miss a second consecutive game on Thursday versus Dallas. The seven-foot-one giant has a problem with his right hip. Kessler's fantasy value has received a boost this season after he was reinserted into the starting lineup. He's been close to averaging a double-double, notching 9.2 points and 10.7 rebounds with 2.8 blocks. In his absence, John Collins was back among the starters on Tuesday and looks set for a larger role again. He produced a very juicy line a couple of nights back against Phoenix, scoring a team-high 29 points with 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (hip) won't play in Tuesday's game versus the Phoenix Suns. He's dealing with hip soreness, so he'll miss his first game of the 2024-25 campaign. The 23-year-old has averaged only 9.2 points this season. However, he's logged career-highs in rebounds (10.7) and blocks (2.8). Without him, John Collins and Drew Eubanks should split time in the middle, with both men potentially getting involved enough to surpass fantasy expectations, especially if Phoenix is without Jusuf Nurkic (ankle).

Boston Celtics shooting guard Jaden Springer (knee) is on the injury report as questionable ahead of Tuesday's tilt against Atlanta. He's dealing with left knee pain. Springer's absence would not be a big issue for the Celtics, as the 22-year-old has barely played this season. He's seen action only four times, logging a maximum of eight minutes. Payton Pritchard is the first guard off the bench for Boston and will look to continue his productive start to the season in a good matchup against a struggling defense. He notched 18 points with four assists and three triples in this season's first head-to-head clash with the Hawks.

Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (heel) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against Milwaukee. Utah ruled Clarkson out for at least a week last Friday, but he came through a full practice session on Wednesday and appears to be ahead of schedule in his recovery. The veteran scorer has missed two games with a heel problem. Clarkson's return will likely push Collin Sexton back to the second unit. However, Sexton should still be impactful. Milwaukee is allowing the fourth-most three-point makes in the league, giving Clarkson a good opportunity to find some rhythm behind the arc. He's nailed only 19.2 percent of his triples so far.