John Collins, Lauri Markkanen Start Strong In Los Angeles

Feb 10, 2025, 9:24 PM

Utah Jazz John Collins Lauri Markkanen...

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 04: John Collins #20 of the Utah Jazz controls the ball against the New Zealand Breakers on October 04, 2024 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

BY CHANDLER HOLT

KSL Sports

LOS ANGELES – The first quarter was not a pretty one for the Utah Jazz in Crypto.com Arena against the LA Lakers on Monday.

However, the team’s veteran forwards, John Collins and Lauri Markkanen, were able to get off on the right foot with the NBA world watching.

that three ball is fallin’ early 🎯@MarkkanenLauri | @jcollins20_ pic.twitter.com/SACu9l2LG2

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 11, 2025

Collins and Markkanen combined for 16 of Utah’s first 25 points. They did so while shooting nearly 55 percent from the floor.

Unfortunately, with an energy boost brought by Luka Doncic’s Los Angeles debut, the Lakers could do no wrong in the opening quarter.

The starting lineup poured in 30 first-quarter points. The entire team basically shot the net off the rim at 63.6 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from deep.

Luka’s first PTS as a Laker: the stepback 3 🎯 https://t.co/Fw5eqHO3UA pic.twitter.com/iTQDX77exV

— NBA (@NBA) February 11, 2025

Outside of the two Jazz forwards, the only other players to score in the first were Jordan Clarkson, Keyonte George, and Micah Potter.

Clarkson had five points on 2/6 shooting. Both Geroeg and Potter had two points.

Jazz Take On Lakers In Doncic’s Debut, Final Road Game Before Break

The Utah Jazz will be the first team in the association to see Luka Doncic in a Lakers uniform as the superstar makes his LA debut on Monday. With the game being broadcast on ESPN, Utah is coming to play with a near-spotless injury report.

Collin Sexton is still sidelined with an ankle injury and the teams’ trade deadline acquisition, KJ Martin, will not suit up against the Lakers.

This will be the third matchup between Utah and Los Angeles this season. The Lakers are 2-0 in the season series but both games have been close. LA took the first matchup at home by six points and won the second in Salt Lake by just one.

With that said, it is safe to say that the Lakers are bringing a whole new look to close out the season.