NBA Notes: Jazz, Lauri Markkanen, Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards, Thunder

Jazz

Lauri Markkanen had a quiet 12 points in 21 minutes on Friday, but don’t let that fool you. He’s still averaging 28.3 a night.

That would be a career high. And Jazz coach Will Hardy thinks the beauty of Markkanen’s game is how it fits with literally anybody.

“He can truly play any style,” Hardy told Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. “You could name any All-Star player, and I would say Lauri could play with them. Because he doesn’t dribble too much… Lauri gives us a lot of flexibility.”

Hardy has also been a lot more vocal this year, and that’s by design. Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune noted Hardy has pushed urgency with this group. They’re 3–6.

“I feel like I need to give the team the urgency every single night to not let moments pass them by,” Hardy said. “Nothing’s guaranteed.”

Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards didn’t just set the tone; he detonated it. He scored 37 in Friday’s 40-point win over Utah. Minnesota wanted him aggressive. They got it.

“He’s our leading light,” coach Chris Finch told Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. “He’s got to be aggressive, and he’s got to be himself.”

Thunder

Isaiah Hartenstein turned into prime Moses Malone on Friday — finishing with 33 points, 19 boards, and three blocks in a win over the Kings.

“He was on one today,” Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell said, via Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman. “He made it very easy for us.”

Coach Mark Daigneault said Hartenstein has grown inside OKC’s system and is “only gotten better, especially on the offensive side of the floor.”

He looks like a legit nightly double-double threat for an injured Thunder group that needs every inch of that interior presence.