
Both Walker Kessler and Jordan Clarkson are sidelined for the second night of the back-to-back, which will allow Filipowski and Mykhailiuk to slide into the starting lineup. Filipowski had 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists as a starter against the Clippers on February 8, which was his most recent start.
After sitting out Saturday's loss to the Clippers, Collins returned to the lineup on Monday. He recorded his 11th double-double of the season, and JC has been one of the unsung heroes of fantasy basketball thus far. However, the days off are a concern, especially for a player whose team is more invested in developing its young players and improving the franchise's draft lottery odds. Like Lauri Markkanen, Collins is a player who some managers should strongly consider "selling" because of availability concerns.
Having already recorded three times as many double-doubles as he had the entire 2023-24 season (seven), Kessler finished Monday's defeat with his 22nd. The third-year center has been available for six of Utah's last seven games, but the Jazz have not hesitated to sit Kessler, Lauri Markkanen, or John Collins due to injury or rest. That's something to be mindful of after the All-Star break, as the Jazz are headed toward the draft lottery. Kyle Filipowski (nine points, one rebound, two steals, and two 3-pointers in 10 minutes) will benefit in cases where Kessler does not play.
Utah will have its preferred frontcourt for Monday's game, as Markkanen, Collins, and Kessler return after missing Saturday's loss to the Clippers. As a result, Svi Mykhailiuk, Micah Potter, and Kyle Filipowski will come off the bench. Clarkson continues to start in the backcourt for the injured Collin Sexton.
Both players sat out Saturday along with Lauri Markkanen, and Svi Mykhailiuk, Micah Potter and Kyle Filipowski replaced the trio in the starting five. All of Collins, Kessler and Markkanen should reclaim their starting roles and handle their usual workloads against a Lakers frontcourt that's severely depleted.