Markkanen Explodes For 48 Points In EuroBasket Preview
Aug 8, 2025, 3:33 PM
Lauri Markkanen #23 of Finland (Photo by Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images)
(Photo by Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Lauri Markkanen scored a national team record 48 points in a friendly contest between Finland and Belgium ahead of the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket Tournament.
The Utah Jazz forward helped his native Finland down Belgium 105-62 in front of a home crowd.
Related: Three Utah Jazz Players Competing At EuroBasket 2025
Markkanen Scores Record 48 Points Against Belgium
Markkanen’s 48 points surpassed his previous record of 43, set against Croatia during the 2022 EuroBasket games.
In just 25 minutes, the 28-year-old shot a super-efficient 17-24 from the floor, including 7-13 from downtown to go with nine rebounds, three steals, and a block.
🇫🇮 @MarkkanenLauri drops a national team career-high 48 PTS in @basketfinland‘s win in #EuroBasket preparation game! 🥶@UtahJazz | @NBA
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— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) August 8, 2025
Team Finland will play a second exhibition game against Belgium on August 11, before meetings with Poland on August 14 and 21, before opening group play against Sweden on August 27.
Finland (Group B – Hosted in Finland)
- Aug. 27: vs. Sweden
- Aug. 29: vs. Great Britain
- Aug. 30: vs. Montenegro
- Sept. 1: vs. Lithuania
- Sept. 3: vs. Germany
Markkanen Excited For Finland To Host EuroBasket
Heading into the summer, Markkanen expressed his excitement over Finland hosting games during the group portion of EuroBasket 2025.
“It means a lot — I’m fortunate enough that this is going to be the second time we’re hosting when I’m playing,” Markkanen said. “In 2017, it was a packed house every night — a lot of fun and really competitive games.”
The forward had a breakout performance during the 2022 EuroBasket games shortly after being traded to the Jazz.
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Markkanen averaged 27.9 points per game just weeks after joining the Jazz, building momentum towards his first NBA All-Star appearance.
“Those are the years I’ve always felt the best mentally and physically, to be honest,” Makkanen said of playing in EuroBasket. “You’re getting game reps right before the NBA season starts. So that kind of gets me excited for the summer, for being able to play for your country, and then how that’s going to lead up into the NBA season.”
Finland will host group play between August 27 and September 3. Teams that advance will compete in a 16-team elimination tournament in Latvia beginning on September 6.
“I think we have a really good team, and so hopefully we can create some buzz and kind of make a big run for it,” Markkanen said.
Fans can stream games live on FIBA’s Courtside 1891 or watch on demand with Max.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
