The Utah Jazz will be without four key frontcourt players when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night at Delta Center.
Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Walker Kessler, and Georges Niang have all been ruled out due to injuries, while two-way players John Tonje and Oscar Tshiebwe remain unavailable on G League assignment.
Anderson continues to recover from a right SI dysfunction that has sidelined him for multiple games. Hendricks is nursing a right hamstring strain, and Kessler remains out as he rehabs from a left shoulder injury. Niang’s left foot stress reaction will also keep him sidelined for the foreseeable future.
The injuries leave head coach Will Hardy with a shortened rotation in the frontcourt, forcing more minutes for Jusuf Nurkic, Kyle Filipowski, and Cody Williams. Nurkic is averaging 9.1 rebounds and 7.2 points per game this season, while Filipowski has provided energy off the bench with 7.7 points and 5.0 rebounds.
Utah enters the matchup with a 4–7 record after snapping a three-game losing streak with a 152–128 win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday. Lauri Markkanen led the way with 35 points, supported by 11 assists from rookie guard Isaiah Collier.
Markkanen remains the focal point of the Jazz offense, averaging 28.3 points per game while shooting efficiently from all three levels. Keyonte George has also shown growth as a playmaker, contributing 21.5 points and 7.1 assists per contest.
The Hawks, meanwhile, come in at 7–5 after winning four of their last five games on the road. Jalen Johnson has emerged as a major factor, leading Atlanta with 20.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis have added scoring balance, with both averaging over 17 points per game.
Tip-off is set for 9:00 p.m. ET in Salt Lake City. The Jazz will look to build on their recent win, while the Hawks aim to continue their strong start to November.
