Utah's problem is simple and getting worse. Jaren Jackson Jr. tore the MCL in his right knee in Monday's 110-105 loss to Memphis and is looking at 6 to 8 weeks. Lauri Markkanen sprained his right wrist in the 1st quarter of the same game. The Jazz call him day-to-day, but it's his shooting wrist, and that matters most for a 7-footer who lives behind the arc. Jusuf Nurkic was already out with a partial plantar plate tear in his right foot, and guard Trey Alexander has been dealing with a left knee bone bruise.
Credit to the guys still standing, though. Against San Antonio on Wednesday, without Markkanen, Jackson or Nurkic, Utah led 55-51 at the half and forced overtime at 105-105. It took 30 points and 9 rebounds from Victor Wembanyama, plus a 12-6 overtime, for the Spurs to finally pull away, and they were on the 2nd night of a back-to-back. A team in a 3-game slide doesn't usually play like that. The Jazz have kept games close at home. They just haven't found the extra few buckets late.
The matchup comes down to whether Utah can keep pace. The Jazz have scored 103 or more in every game of their last 5, but they've also given up 110 or more in all 5, including 132 to the Lakers. Portland just put up 136 on that same Lakers team. Without Jackson protecting the rim and with Nurkic out, Utah has very little inside to slow down Morant and Lillard attacking the paint. Utah needs the Markkanen update most. If he plays with a healthy wrist, this is a game. If he doesn't, the Jazz need another night like the Spurs game from whoever's left.
Schedule-wise, Utah has the rest. The Jazz are off from Wednesday's overtime game until Saturday afternoon. Portland plays Memphis at home Thursday, then has a day to travel. That isn't a back-to-back, but an early Saturday tip after a road trip isn't a perfect spot either, especially if Thursday turns into another track meet.