Lauri Markkanen

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen had fun in his first All-Star Game, and it was even better that his inaugural appearance came in Salt Lake City.

I was just happy to get out there and play with those guys.” — Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen I was just happy to get out there and play with those guys,” Markkanen said. Markkanen was selected last among the starters in his first All-Star Game. A competitive game with lockdown defense, it was not. I was excited to get out there ... 3 spots on the all-time scoring list. 2 and No. “I was thinking if I should go dunk it or shoot a three. Joel was trying to get me in the paint and go dunk it. “I’ve known Lauri for a while. That’s why it took so long so shoot that three. It’s just funny how those things work,” Mitchell said.

SALT LAKE CITY — Lauri Markkanen was open in the corner with a chance to deliver the knockout blow. He wasn't going to win the All-Star Game MVP — like John ...

I was just happy to get out there and play with those guys." I was excited to get out there," he said. "I just stood up because I thought I was last. "I thought I was last," Jokic said. I blame it on him." His successful night started in inauspicious way, though, when he was picked last in the All-Star draft.

Lauri Markkanen's leap since getting traded to the Utah Jazz culminated in him making his first all-star game appearance.

“Physically getting better and being able to take advantage of mismatches and the mindset of the game and just seeing different things. “It’s just the mental preparation and that side of the game,” Markkanen said. He’s a hell of a player.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo used the last pick to select Lauri Markkanen to his NBA All-Star team Sunday, in what turned out to be one of the the only moments of ...

I was excited to get out there,” Markkanen said after the game. Markkanen started alongside Antetokounmpo, Tatum, Ja Morant, and former Jazz point guard turned Cleveland Cavalier Donovan Mitchell. I can’t wait to be here again.” Markkanen, a former All-America at Arizona is 2017, participated in his first All-Star Game. Markkanen had 13 points on 6-13 shooting, with most of scoring coming via acrobatic dunks. It was all the more special that the game was played in Utah, where Markkanen leads the Jazz with 24.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.