Lauri Markkanen, a Finnish star playing for the Utah Jazz, is reported to be sidelined for at least two weeks due to a hip injury characterized by inflammation and a bone bruise. ESPN reported on the injury following Markkanen's MRI scan conducted on Thursday. The team will reassess Markkanen’s fitness in two weeks, leaving uncertainty around his return and the potential impact on the Jazz’s performance in the coming games.

In addition to the injury, Markkanen also rolled his ankle during practice; however, further investigations revealed that the ankle issue is not serious. The Utah Jazz faced a setback in their recent game, losing to the New Orleans Pelicans 129-118. This defeat reflects the struggling season for the Jazz, who currently hold the 13th position in the Western Conference standings, having won only 18 out of 59 games this season.

The situation is complicated by the fact that the Jazz are dealing with multiple injuries affecting key players, with Markkanen being one of the prominent names on the sidelines along with Jaren Jackson Jr., Jusuf Nurkic, and Walker Kessler. As the Jazz prepare to face the Pelicans again shortly, the absence of these players could significantly hinder their chances to improve in the standings and build momentum for the remainder of the season.