Jazz forward ties unreal NBA record, can set new mark vs. Bulls
The Utah Jazz have gotten off to a rough 2-5 start to the 2023-24 NBA season. Their road loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves was the third double-digit loss in their last five games, indicating that this young group has plenty to improve.
But one major positive has been the play of 26-year-old forward Lauri Markkanen, who's been so good that he actually tied an NBA record on Saturday night.
Markkanen finished the 123-95 loss to Minnesota with 22 points and eight rebounds in 35 minutes. Markkanen made 4-of-11 attempts from deep, marking his sixth consecutive game in a row with four or more three-pointers made — a stretch that ties the most consecutive games of any non-guard in history. He can break the mark on Monday against the Chicago Bulls.
Just how impressive this stat really is can't be understated. Even some of the greatest shooters of all time have had an off night over the span of six games, so this consistency for any player, let alone a 7-foot forward, is pretty eye-opening.
Markkanen, who's now made at least four shots from beyond the arc in three consecutive games, knocked down five three-pointers in the three games prior to that.
Arguably the most impressive aspect of Markkanen's outside shooting this season is that he's done it while posting a career-best percentage in the process. Through six games, Markkanen has made north of 45 percent of his three-point attempts and is currently attempting the most shots from beyond the arc per game of his career as well.
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