Utah Jazz to rest veterans in preseason finale against Kings

The Utah Jazz will rest several veterans as they face the Sacramento Kings in their preseason finale on Thursday night.

The team will be without Lauri Markkanen, Kelly Olynyk, Jordan Clarkson, and John Collins as they prepare to open the regular season against the Kings on Wednesday, Oct. 25, in Salt Lake City.

The team has not yet announced a starting lineup against Sacramento.

Jazz without veterans against Kings

Markkanen, Olynyk, Clarkson, and Collins had each appeared in all four preseason games before resting against Sacramento.

Entering his second season with the Jazz, Markkanen was the team’s leading scorer during the preseason averaging 16.8 points in just under 21 minutes per game.

Per the @utahjazz:

For tonight (10/19):

OUT – Jordan Clarkson (rest)

OUT – John Collins (rest)

OUT – Lauri Markkanen (rest)

OUT – Kelly Olynyk (rest)

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 19, 2023

Clarkson was the Jazz’s fourth-leading scorer at 9.8 points per game, while Collins added 8.0 points, and Olynyk added 3.5.

The vacated playing time should allow rookies Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George, and Brice Sensebaugh to see increased opportunities against Sacramento.

All three rookies shared the floor in the Jazz’s win over the New Zealand Breakers on Monday night for the first time during the preseason.

This story was originally published by SactownSports’ sister station, KSL Sports. Follow us on Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.