Lauri Markkanen has two nondisplaced fractures in his right hand, adding another extended absence to a Utah Jazz frontcourt already missing Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jusuf Nurkic.
The Jazz announced Wednesday that Markkanen will be reevaluated in four weeks. He was injured against Dallas on Nov. 6, and the team has not announced a return date.
Injury update on Lauri Markkanen: pic.twitter.com/vrimMfbc0C
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 11, 2026
The diagnosis is separate from the right wrist sprain Markkanen suffered against Memphis on Oct. 26. He had continued playing after that earlier injury, but the fractures now give Utah a longer period to plan around his absence.
Markkanen is averaging 18.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. His loss comes while the Jazz are still waiting for two other veteran big men to progress through their own recoveries.
Utah’s injury timelines are checkpoints, not return dates
Utah had already lost Jackson to a torn right MCL. The team said Oct. 27 that he would be reevaluated in six weeks, following the injury that prompted an extended recovery outlook for Jackson.
Nurkic’s Nov. 6 update said he was beginning on-court work and would undergo another review in two weeks. His injury involves the second toe of his right foot.
| Player | Injury | Announced reevaluation |
|---|---|---|
| Lauri Markkanen | Two right hand fractures | Four weeks from Nov. 11 update |
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | Torn right MCL | Six weeks from Oct. 27 update |
| Jusuf Nurkic | Right second toe injury | Two weeks from Nov. 6 update |
Those announcements describe medical reviews, not clearance to play. Utah cannot yet count on a particular game bringing its veteran frontcourt back together.
Peterson and Bailey carry more of the load
Wednesday’s 123-108 loss to Orlando showed both the production Utah can get from its younger players and the difficulty of sustaining it. Darryn Peterson scored 22 points with five assists, while Ace Bailey finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and four blocks.
Keyonte George also returned after missing one game, contributing 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. That eased one part of Utah’s availability problem without resolving the absences up front.
The Jazz led 87-85 entering the fourth quarter, then committed six turnovers as Orlando outscored them 38-21.
“We have to keep fighting for our focus and to maintain it,” Coach Will Hardy said after the game.
Hardy said Utah’s energy slipped in the final period, although he also saw encouraging developments. He described the team’s effort to generate more 3-point attempts as deliberate; the Jazz finished 14 of 44 from deep.
Utah visits Houston on Friday. With Markkanen facing a four-week wait until his next review, the immediate task is making that available group more consistent through the closing minutes.
