SALT LAKE CITY – Lauri Markkanen continued his strong start to the All-Star game, adding another pair of highlight reel dunks in the second quarter.
Markkanen first caught an alley-oop from Toronto Raptors’ Pascal Siakam, followed by a double pump reverse dunk.
It was the Jazz forward’s fourth and fifth shots of the game as he took his total to 11.
Lauri Markkanen gets his fourth bucket of the game, another alley-oop, this time from Pascal Siakam.
He then follows up with a reverse double pump jam.
He has up to 11 points. #observe | #NBAAllStarpic.twitter.com/RZctIhmewo
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 20, 2023
Markkanen makes his first All-Star appearance
Markkanen makes his first All-Star appearance Sunday night as the star-studded weekend in Utah comes to a close.
The jazz forward is the team’s sole representative in front of a home crowd and should have plenty of opportunities to prove his allegiance.
After a stellar start to his career with the Jazz, Markkanen was selected by NBA coaches as a reserve for the All-Star Game and was promoted to a starting position due to injury.
Markkanen has a golden opportunity to represent both league host Utah and his country, becoming the first Finnish player to be named an NBA All-Star.
“I think it’s pretty cool to be in my hometown and have my family here and let them experience everything with me,” Markkanen said.
The Jazz forward has a career year in Utah averaging 24.9 points and 8.8 rebounds, proving why he deserved a top-7 pick in the 2017 NBA draft.
Markkanen was the final pick of the starters during Sunday night’s pre-All-Star draft, which was selected by Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Team LeBron
Team LeBron includes the following NBA All-Stars:
reserves
- Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
- Paul GeorgeLos Angeles Clippers
- Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers)
- Julius Randle (New York Knicks)
- De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings)
- Jaren Jackson Jr (Memphis Grizzlies)
Appetizers
Team Giannis
Team Giannis includes the following NBA All-Stars:
reserves
- Damian Lillard (Portland Trailblazer)
- Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- DeMar DeRozan (Chicago Bulls)
- Pascal Siakam (Toronto Raptors)
- Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
- Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings)
Appetizers
- Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
- Yes Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
Download the new and improved KSL Sports App from Utah’s Sports Guide. You can stream live radio and videos and keep up to date with all your favorite teams.
Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. with Jake Scott 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.
Source: kslsports.com
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