Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen set to miss at least a month with fractured right hand

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen is expected to miss at least a month after being diagnosed with two nondisplaced fractures in his right hand, the team announced Wednesday.

According to the league’s official report, Markkanen suffered the injury during Utah’s Nov. 6 game against the Dallas Mavericks. The Jazz said he will be reevaluated in four weeks, and the team did not provide a specific return timetable.

In eight games this season, Markkanen is averaging 18.0 points and 6.8 rebounds, adding 2.0 assists. He has shot 39.7% from 3-point range, and in his most recent appearance against Dallas he scored 24 points and made eight 3-pointers.

The Jazz said Markkanen’s absence will add pressure to their frontcourt rotation as they continue to deal with injuries. The team has also listed Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jusuf Nurkić as sidelined, and has leaned more heavily on younger players including Darryn Peterson and Ace Bailey while coach Will Hardy adjusts his lineup.

With the return date remaining subject to reevaluation, Utah’s short-term question becomes how to sustain spacing and perimeter scoring from its wings and interior positions while Markkanen’s offensive production is unavailable.