With 35 points from the opening match, Lauri Markkanen had started his season perfectly. But behind this first burst of heat, the interior of the Jazz stood still. Back pain kept him sidelined for several matches, then eye discomfort disrupted him. Without its leader at 100% of his resources, Jazz experienced a catastrophic collective start.
Since mid-November, and after eight first games with only 16 points on average (40% on shots), the Finn has opened a much more solid streak of play: 25 points in Sacramento, 25 points on the Lakers floor and 27 in San Antonio. With three defeats upon arrival.
But his great personal dynamic has not run out of steam. This night for the reception of the Knicks, he undoubtedly signed the best game of his season: 34 points (11/15 on shots including 5/8 from distance) and 9 rebounds for 40 evaluation. And above all, finally a victory for his team.
On his final shooting range, we notice, in addition to the now usual absence of mid-distance shooting, a perfect variety between 3-point shots, notably “catch-and-shoot”, and finishes in the circle. An alternation that the Knicks were not able to contain.
He's getting used to the attention from defenses
“It’sis obviously an excellent 3-point shooter, but he is also a penetration threat. He's one of the hardest guys to play against, especially because he's very physical », remarks his teammate Walker Kessler.
At the end of the meetingLauri Markkanen is asked about the importance of finding shots in the corners. “ I'll give you my scouting report! », he begins by laughing. “ I try to find open spaces. We are clearly looking for 3-point shots in the corner. But no matter where those spaces are, the idea is to run, most of the time it ends up in the corner », Remarks the 27-year-old player.
The 7th pick of the 2017 Draft has used this long-distance weapon since the start of his career (38%). But while he may have been targeted in his early years for his lack of aggressiveness towards the rim, the All-Star has since been able to score in all contexts. To the point of being targeted, night after night, by opposing defenses.
“ You get used to it. I didn't face this earlier in my career, I'm happy to experience this and be better at making the reads. Every night can be different, but you kind of learn how to be effective, have an impact on the game. Even if I'm not the one shooting. I'm trying to make an impact in this game regardless of defensive coverage », concludes the Jazz leader.
| Lauri Markkanen | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | CHI | 68 | 30 | 43.4 | 36.2 | 84.3 | 1.2 | 6.3 | 7.5 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 15.2 |
| 2018-19 | CHI | 52 | 32 | 43.0 | 36.1 | 87.2 | 1.4 | 7.6 | 9.0 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 18.7 |
| 2019-20 | CHI | 50 | 30 | 42.5 | 34.4 | 82.4 | 1.2 | 5.1 | 6.3 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 14.7 |
| 2020-21 | CHI | 51 | 26 | 48.0 | 40.2 | 82.6 | 0.7 | 4.6 | 5.3 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 13.6 |
| 2021-22 | KEY | 61 | 31 | 44.5 | 35.8 | 86.8 | 1.0 | 4.7 | 5.7 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 14.8 |
| 2022-23 | UTH | 66 | 34 | 49.9 | 39.1 | 87.5 | 2.0 | 6.7 | 8.6 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 25.6 |
| 2023-24 | UTH | 55 | 33 | 48.0 | 39.9 | 89.9 | 2.2 | 5.9 | 8.2 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 23.2 |
| 2024-25 | UTH | 12 | 31 | 45.0 | 42.7 | 86.4 | 1.8 | 4.5 | 6.3 | 2.2 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 18.8 |
| Total | 415 | 31 | 45.9 | 37.7 | 86.6 | 1.4 | 5.8 | 7.2 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 18.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
