The New York Knicks and Utah Jazz will meet for the second time this season, with both teams desperate for a win for different reasons. As teams approach the midway point of the season, the Knicks (23-10) battle the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers for the top spot in the East. Meanwhile, the Jazz (7-24) have struggled to find wins and are 14th in the Western Conference standings.
NBA fans can catch some of the game’s top players in action at Madison Square Garden with All-Stars Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Lauri Markkanen all set to feature in Wednesday’s game.
Utah Jazz vs New York Knicks Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart
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It has been a tough few months for the Utah Jazz with coach Will Hardy working hard to find a winning formula with a young and inexperienced group. The third-year coach has experimented and been flexible with his starting five. Over their first 31 games, 13 different players have started at least one game for the Jazz.
Collin Sexton currently leads the Utah roster with 29 stars, with Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen next on the list with 26 each.
The Jazz will be without forward Taylor Hendricks, who suffered a season-ending injury in October. Power forward John Collins is listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s game.
Utah will likely take the court with a starting lineup of Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Cody Williams, Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler.
Utah Jazz depth chart:
New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has been one of the most consistent and predictable coaches in the NBA when it comes to his starters. The veteran has stuck with a core five throughout the season, with only seven players starting games this season.
Center Mitchell Robinson, who has missed the entire season due to a foot injury, remains out for Wednesday’s clash. Forward Kevin McCullar Jr. is also sidelined with a knee issue. Point guard Jalen Brunson is listed as day-to-day and is questionable for the game against the Jazz.
Expect to see Thibodeau stick with his regular starters and go with Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns.
New York Knicks depth chart:
Utah Jazz vs New York Knicks preview
With the return of All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen and energetic guard Keyonte George, the Utah Jazz hoped to turn things around this season. Will Hardy’s team is off to a dismal start to the campaign, winning just seven of its first 31 games. In the Western Conference, only the New Orleans Pelicans have fewer wins.
Utah comes into Wednesday’s game on a four-game losing streak and has won just three of its last 10 outings. The team has a 5-12 record in away games.
The defense has been a problem area for the Jazz. They are conceding 119.8 ppg, which is the most in the Western Conference and the second most in the NBA.
Finnish forward Lauri Markkanen has been one of the few bright spots for the organization. The versatile 7-footer leads the roster with 19.6 ppg and is chipping in with 6.3 rpg and 1.9 apg.
The addition of four-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns this offseason has provided a major boost to an already talented New York Knicks lineup. Jalen Brunson continues to perform at a high level, and Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby have all played a vital role in the team’s early season success.
The Knicks are currently third in the Eastern Conference standings with a 23-10 record. They trail the second-place Boston Celtics by just one game and are six behind the first-place Cleveland Cavaliers.
Thibodeau’s team has not lost a contest since Dec. 15 and is on an eight-game win streak. New York has a 9-1 record over its last 10 and a 10-4 record at Madison Square Garden.
All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson has stood out for New York this season. The former Villanova star ranks ninth in the NBA with 25.2 ppg and eighth with 7.7 apg.
The Utah Jazz and New York Knicks have already clashed once this season, with the Knicks winning 121-106.
Edited by R. Elahi
