UTAH JAZZ NEWS

Kelly Olynyk - Grabs 13 rebounds in loss Olynyk provided nine points (4-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt), five rebounds, 13 assists, one block and one steal across 29 minutes during Saturday's 125-104 loss to the Kings.

Impact Although Walker Kessler returned to the rtarting lineup Thursday and posted a solid number against the Trail Blazers, Olynyk was back with the starting five, presumably as a better matchup to face Domantas Sabonis. Kessler is more of a floor-stretching natural scorer, but Olynyk's ability to provide defense against the league's best big men gives the Jazz a valuable asset in the frontcourt rotation.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Thomas leads Brooklyn against Utah after 41-point outing

Brooklyn plays the Utah Jazz after Cameron Thomas scored 41 points in the Nets' 124-120 loss to the Golden State Warriors

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Walker Kessler - Moves to second unit Kessler will move to the bench for Saturday's game against the Kings, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.

Impact The Jazz are missing backup center Omer Yurtseven (illness) in addition to John Collins (illness), while Lauri Markkanen returns from a rest day to pair up with Kelly Olynyk in the frontcourt. Walker is coming off a strong showing against the Trail Blazers on Thursday, as he racked up 10 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, seven blocks and one steal in 26 minutes.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Talen Horton-Tucker - Will play off bench Saturday Horton-Tucker is not in the starting lineup to face the Kings on Saturday, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.

Impact Horton-Tucker was cleared to play shortly before this 10 p.m. ET tip-off since he was dealing with an illness, but he will be available off the bench, in a sign that perhaps indicates he's not 100 percent healthy. Kris Dunn and Collin Sexton will start on the backcourt for the Jazz.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kris Dunn - Starting against Kings Dunn will start Saturday's game against the Kings,James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.

Impact Dunn will be replacing Talen Horton-Tucker in the starting lineup, although Horton-Tucker will be available off the bench despite an illness. In four December games, Dunn has averaged 7.0 points, 5.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 0.8 three-pointers.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Talen Horton-Tucker - Available to face Sacramento Horton-Tucker (illness) is available to face the Kings on Saturday, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact Horton-Tucker was absent from shootaround ahead of Saturday's game versus Sacramento, but it seems that was just a precautionary move, as the versatile guard is available and should handle his regular workload. Horton-Tucker has scored in double digits in his last six appearances.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Omer Yurtseven - Will not play Saturday Yurtseven (illness) will not play in Saturday's game against the Kings, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact The Jazz upgraded Yurtseven to questionable after ruling him out early Saturday morning, only to rule him out yet again prior to warmups. Kelly Olynyk could pick up a handful of extra minutes with Yurtseven sitting this one out.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Omer Yurtseven - Upgraded to questionable Yurtseven (illness) is now listed as questionable for Saturday's game versus Sacramento, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact Yurtseven was initially ruled out with a non-COVID illness but now has a chance to suit up against the Kings. The 25-year-old big man is averaging 2.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 12.3 minutes across his last three appearances.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Talen Horton-Tucker - Absent from shootaround Horton-Tucker (illness) didn't participate in shootaround ahead of Saturday's game versus Sacramento, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact Horton-Tucker is officially listed as questionable for Saturday's game due to a non-COVID illness. However, his absence from shootaround is a bad sign of his availability against Sacramento.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Talen Horton-Tucker - Added to injury report Horton-Tucker is questionable for Saturday's game against the Kings with a non-COVID illness, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact Horton-Tucker pops up as the fourth Jazz player on the injury report with an illness, joining John Collins, Luka Samanic and Omer Yurtseven -- each of whom has been ruled out. Considering Utah's lengthy injury report, Horton-Tucker will be primed for a hefty workload if available. However, if he sits, expect Kris Dunn, Ochai Agbaji and Simone Fontecchio to handle more minutes.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Omer Yurtseven - Out sick Yurtseven will not play in Saturday's game in Sacramento due to an illness.

Impact Yurtseven was not on Utah's initial injury report, so it appears his illness is relatively new. His absence is not expected to impact the team's rotation, but they will be a little thinner on frontcourt depth options. The big man's next opportunity to play will come Monday versus the Nets.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Luka Samanic - Won't play Saturday Samanic (illness) will miss Saturday's game against the Kings, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact Samanic is a fringe rotation player for the Jazz, and it doesn't help his case that Lauri Markkanen is healthy again. Samanic's next chance to suit up is Monday against the Nets.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

John Collins - Out again Saturday Collins (illness) will miss Saturday's game against the Kings, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact This will be the fourth straight game that Collins will miss. The good news for Utah is that Lauri Markkanen is no longer showing up on the injury report after missing Thursday's game with the Jazz managing his hamstring issue. Collins' next chance to play is Monday against the Nets.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lauri Markkanen - Removed from injury report Markkanen (hamstring) will be available for Saturday's game against the Kings, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact Markkanen missed Thursday's game versus the Trail Blazers, but it was the second leg of a back-to-back set and the Jazz were simply being cautious. In Markkanen's last appearance against the Knicks on Wednesday, he looked sharp with 23 points and eight rebounds in 25 minutes.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kris Dunn - Logs season-high mark in minutes Dunn provided six points (3-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt), five assists and two rebounds through 26 minutes in Thursday's 122-114 loss to Portland.

Impact After missing five games while tending to a personal matter, Dunn has seen a sudden uptick in usage. In his last four contests, he has averaged 7.0 points, 5.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 0.5 steals over 21.5 minutes per game. As Keyonte George (foot) and Jordan Clarkson (thigh) remain out, expect Dunn to maintain his increased role until they return.

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Talen Horton-Tucker - Pops for 23 against Portland Horton-Tucker produced 23 points (9-19 FG, 0-6 3Pt, 5-6 FT), two rebounds, four assists and four steals in 30 minutes during Thursday's 122-114 win over the Trail Blazers.

Impact The 23-year-old guard scored in double digits for the sixth straight game to begin December while producing his best offensive performance since he poured in 25 points against the Suns on Nov. 19. Horton-Tucker is averaging 14.8 points, 3.2 assists, 2.0 boards, 1.5 threes and 1.3 steals on the month while shooting 50.0 percent from the floor, and he should continue to see elevated usage as long as Jordan Clarkson (thigh) and Keyonte George (foot) remain sidelined.

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Walker Kessler - Double-double in Thursday's start Kessler finished with 10 points (5-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 10 rebounds, four assists, seven blocks and one steal across 26 minutes during Thursday's 122-114 win over the Trail Blazers.

Impact The double-double was just his fourth of the season, as Kessler has generally struggled to stay healthy and match his form from his rookie season in 2022-23. The 22-year-old center has remained an elite rim protector however, and since returning from an elbow injury in late November he's recorded multiple blocks in eight of nine games, averaging 9.6 points, 8.7 boards, 3.3 blocks and 1.7 assists over that stretch while shooting 57.7 percent from the floor.

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Simone Fontecchio - Hits for season-high 24 Fontecchio contributed 24 points (7-8 FG, 5-5 3Pt, 5-5 FT), five rebounds and one steal over 25 minutes during Thursday's 122-114 win over Portland.

Impact It was a season-best scoring effort for the second-year forward, who was making his 10th straight start as the Jazz continue to deal with the absences of Lauri Markkanen (hamstring) and John Collins (illness). Fontecchio is averaging 13.2 points, 3.8 boards, 2.6 threes, 2.2 assists and 1.5 blocks plus steals during his time in the starting five, numbers that should keep him on the fantasy radar until Utah gets healthier.

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Collin Sexton - Leads team to win Thursday Sexton ended Thursday's 122-114 win over Portland with 27 points (11-17 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two rebounds, four assists and one steal in 32 minutes.

Impact The Jazz were missing a number of key players including Lauri Markkanen (hamstring) and Jordan Clarkson (thigh), but Sexton stepped up and led the team in scoring while producing a season high in points. The 24-year-old guard has dropped at least 20 points in three straight contests, and since the calendar flipped to December, Sexton's averaging 19.7 points, 4.3 assists, 3.3 boards, 1.2 threes and 0.8 steals a game while shooting an impressive 54.5 percent from the floor.

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fox leads Sacramento against Utah after 41-point outing

Sacramento faces the Utah Jazz after De'Aaron Fox scored 41 points in the Sacramento Kings' 128-123 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sexton and Fonteccio lead short-handed Jazz to 122-114 win over Trail Blazers

Collin Sexton scored 27 points, Simone Fonteccio had 24 and the Utah Jazz beat the struggling Portland Trail Blazers 122-114

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS