Markkanen drops 40 in Jazz loss

A few weeks after setting his personal best at 51 points, Lauri Markkanen poured in 40 on Thursday, but the Utah Jazz lost, 132-122, to the Atlanta Hawks in Delta Center.

The 28-year-old Finnish forward connected 15/25 from the field, including six triples, and added seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal. More European starters for head coach Will Hardy, Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic combined a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double with eight assists, five steals, and one block.

On the winning side, Latvian Kristaps Porzingis was rested, but Jalen Johnson took over with 31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists, and seven steals. Czech reserve Vit Krejci chipped in 20 points, three steals, three assists, and one rebound, and French starter Zaccharie Risacher added 11 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Serbian Nikola Djurisic (right elbow sprain) remained out, alongside Spanish Eli Ndiaye.