Jazz F Lauri Markkanen in everyday life after the loss to the Kings

Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen is out of the game due to a lower back spasm that forced him out of the game after Utah's 113-96 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.

Markkanen played 17 minutes against Sacramento before missing the entire second half as the Kings opened the game with a 14-2 run to close the third period.

“His back is pretty locked up,” Jazz coach Will Hardy told reporters. “He was treated at half-time and with about a minute to go he was still on the table and couldn't really move. Therefore, it was my decision and that of our medical team to keep him out.”

Hardy said Markkanen will be treated Wednesday. The Jazz are off until Thursday, when they face the San Antonio Spurs in Salt Lake City. Hardy will wait until then to determine if Markkanen is playable.

Markkanen finished the game with seven points, three rebounds and one assist.

In four games this season, Markkanen is averaging 18.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists, one of the few bright spots for a Jazz team that is 0-4 with a total of 58 points in its last two home games has lost.

The 27-year-old Markkanen was an All-Star during the 2022-23 season.

The Associated Press and Field Level Media contributed to this report.