Lauri Markkanen Suffers Ankle & Hip Injury; NBA Sending Doctors to Verify

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen sustained a right ankle sprain and right hip impingement during practice on Wednesday, with an MRI pending. He is considered questionable for Thursday's game against the Pelicans and could face a multi-game absence. In a notable development, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is reportedly sending independent doctors to verify the injury, a move that has sparked criticism regarding league intervention in player health decisions and team autonomy.