Multiple Players to Miss Close of Utah Jazz 24-25 Season

Five games remain in the 2024-2025 NBA season for the Utah Jazz.

Utah possesses an NBA worst record of 16 wins and 61 losses and is currently in the midst of a 7 game losing streak, the third different time this year they’ve lost at least 7 straight games.

In 6 of those 7 games, Utah has lost by double digits and are posting an average margin of defeat standing at 25.3 points.

To say they have been less than competitive is an understatement.

Thus, one might think the Jazz have little reason to over exert themselves in an ultimately meaningless 5 game stretch, especially with the lottery odds in their favor.

And that would be the correct way to think.

With nothing to play for and the desire to be competitive most likely fully diminished, Utah isn’t about to risk injury to their guys dealing with current setbacks.

The Jazz injury report has been a constantly revolving door starting all the way back with Taylor Hendricks suffering a season ending injury three games into the season, and it hasn’t slowed down since.

Joining Hendricks at a much later time with “season ending injury” status is Guard, Jordan Clarkson, who underwent a plantar fasciitis procedure and was pronounced out back on March 27^th.

Clarkson appeared in 37 games this year, battling the very same injury listed above alongside a plantar fascia tear.

37 total appearances is by far the least amount of games Clarkson has ever had in his 13 seasons.

Jordan averaged 26 minutes a night at 16.2 PPG on 13.3 attempts.

He shot 40.8 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from distance with 3.7 assists and 2.3 turnovers a game.

This year’s lottery selection, Cody Williams, the 10^th overall pick in the draft is also shut down for the season.

Williams, who spent time with the Jazz and the Salt Lake City Stars of the G-League, appeared in 50 games for the Jazz, even starting in 21 of them.

Regardless he failed to leave much of an impression, especially as someone with lottery expectations, only putting up a lowly 4.6 points a night on 32 percent shooting from the field.

Williams would attempt about 2.7 triples a night, only cashing in about 26 % of the time.

At 2.3 total rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.5 steals a night, Williams struggled to leave a mark anywhere outside of some solid defensive moments and will now have to wait until his sophomore season to change the mind of Jazz fans who are worrying about “bust” status.

Williams last suited up March 28^th, a loss at Denver, before it was reported on April 2nd he would miss the end of the season with mononucleosis.

Walker Kessler, one of the few bright spots on this season, also joined the injury report recently by being in concussion protocol with a nasal fracture which could very well sideline him the rest of the season as well.

Kessler has been a double double machine at 11.1 points and 12.2 boards to mix with 2.4 blocks a night.

Although not official season ending injuries, both Jazz veterans Lauri Markkanen and John Collins are listed on the injury report and are likely not to be seen again this season.

Collins, who hurt his ankle back on March 12^th, hasn’t been active since, and according to reports will not be evaluated again until April 9^th, meaning the most he could play is 3 of the last 5 games and that seems too optimistic.

Markkanen hasn’t been on court for Utah since March 17^th and has dealt with issues of a personal nature and illness in his attempts to return.

As of April 2^nd, the former All-Star was set to complete an off-court rehab program after which he would be re-evaluated in 7-10 days.

Per the CBS report, all of that seems to be a fancy way of saying, expect him to be out at least until April 11^th where if, and I mean if, cleared that morning he could play in the last two games.

No idea what will happen, but given the information provided, it may not be hard to guess what happens next on the injury front.

The short handed Jazz will attempt to do battle with the Pacers of Indiana tonight at 5:00.