Markkanen says Utah can ‘end up this 12 months sturdy’ as he returns in Jazz loss to Wolves

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SALT LAKE CITY — Lauri Markkanen is effectively conscious of the present state of the Utah Jazz.

He is aware of a playoff berth is, at this level, nothing however a idiot’s hope; one thing that was made that rather more clear on Monday in Minnesota’s 114-104 win over the Jazz.

Utah has gone younger — sacrificing this season’s success to set the stage for what’s to come back sooner or later. So why dutifully work to get again to type after an harm?

“As a group and as a person, I have to work on some issues,” Markkanen mentioned. “I have to get higher and, on the identical time, I have to construct chemistry with the younger guys and actually get that on-court expertise in opposition to the opposite groups, not simply apply.”

He added that he thinks the group can “end up this 12 months sturdy” and set a regular for what’s to come back.

Monday will be seen as step one in doing simply that.

The Jazz led by as many as 16 factors and have been inside 4 factors with below three minutes remaining. If nothing else, Utah seemed rather more aggressive in opposition to the Timberwolves than they’d 48 hours earlier.

Ultimately, although, a 25-point second half for Anthony Edwards — which included probably the dunk of the 12 months — was an excessive amount of to beat.

Markkanan had 22 factors and 12 rebounds in half-hour.

“I may help the group and assist the younger guys to go on the market and I can facilitate for them,” he mentioned. “I do know that protection goes to be loading up and that is an space I can enhance as effectively. So I am excited to go on the market and assist the younger guys and information then however then on the identical time, it will be good work for me to attempt to get them to ball, as effectively.”

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