Markkanen leaves the Kings Game with a back injury

On By Littum

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen left the team’s game against the Sacramento Kings with a back injury at halftime and did not return to the floor.

Markkanen was ruled out for the rest of the match with a cramp in his lower back.

Rookie Kyle Filipowski started the second half in place of the All-Stars.

Markkanen had seven points and three rebounds in 18 minutes in the first half.

Related: Kyle Filipowski scores first NBA point

Markkanen leaves the Kings Game with a back injury

Jazz coach Will Hardy already had to make a change to his starting lineup just four games into the season after the team lost forward Taylor Hendricks to a gruesome leg injury.

Midway through the Jazz loss in Dallas, Hendricks appeared to slip while running back on offense and fell awkwardly on his right leg.

Related: Jazz lose Hendricks to serious leg injury

Rookie Cody Williams and veteran Jordan Clarkson were inserted into the lineup in place of Hendricks and Collin Sexton.

With Hendricks missing from the roster, Filipowski was inserted into the team’s rotation.

The Jazz selected Filipowski with the 32nd pick in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.

Markkanen had had a slow start to the 2024-25 campaign.

The 27-year-old averaged 21.7 points and 8.7 rebounds in his first three appearances but shot just 36 percent from the floor.

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Ben Anderson is a Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12 with Jake Scott on 97.5 KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.