What we know about the player representing Utah this All-Star weekend
UPDATED: FEBRUARY 15, 2023 AT 2:36 PM
FILE: Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) is introduced before an NBA game at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023.
(Ryan Sun, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — The seven-foot Lauri Markkanen will step into Vivint Area this All-Star weekend, but it won’t be his first time.
Utah is not only home to the Jazz and the 2023 All-Star game, but also to the Finnish forward center.
As the only player on the court this weekend representing the Jazz, the pressure is on for Markkanen. Luckily, there will be familiar faces in the crowd as Jazz fans and Utah locals alike come together for the event
“Not many 7-footers can knock down threes quite like The Finnisher, excited to have @MarkkanenLauri join the 3-Point Contest at #NBAAllStar Weekend,” tweeted the Utah Jazz.
Coined “the finisher” by teammates and fans for his follow-through ability at the hoop (not to mention his heritage), Markkanen will be start for the western conference under team captain Lebron James.
Further, as a western starter, Markkanen will have the home-court advantage. This is his sixth NBA season, but it is his first All-Star game.