There are nights when a player does not just score. He imposes his style, his rules, his dominance. Tuesday night in Salt Lake City, in a duel against the Atlanta Hawks, Lauri Markkanen did not “just” deliver a big game. He lined up 40 points (15/25 shooting, 6/12 from three-point range, 4/4 from the line) in 36 minutes. And yet, his team, the Utah Jazz, missed out: 122-132.
Lauri Markkanen now has the 2nd most games in Jazz history with 40+ PTS & 5+ 3PM. pic.twitter.com/EvB4DtqLFr
— Real Sports (@realapp) November 14, 2025
All He Wanted: Efficiency + Volume
Markkanen started the game on tiptoes, but he quickly transformed into a rocket. In the first half, he had already scored 25 points.
We often see players have big lines in wins or favorable contexts. Not here: he fought in a not-so-certain atmosphere, against a rather solid team, without leading to a victory. This changes the game.
High success rate. And 6 three-pointers in the box. The guy says, “I’ve got this” and doesn’t overthink it. Nothing flashy or unnecessary, just precision + desire. He scores everywhere, in catch-and-shoot, close shots, drives. His game is nuanced, his shot hurts.
But Victory Escaped Him
The hitch: despite his outstanding performance, Utah lost. 122-132. A defeat that weighs heavily because collectively, the Jazz faltered: 23 turnovers, poor management at the end of the game…
Markkanen tried everything, but he can’t do it alone. He had 40 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal.
It raises the bar: yes, he is becoming the offensive piece, but the team must support him. We feel this gap between the individual and the collective.
Why This Performance Marks a Turning Point
Because it wasn’t just an isolated shot. Markkanen confirms what has been budding for a while: that he can carry, create, score with volume and efficiency.
In a game where the opponents did not back down, he showed up.
And for a player who was sometimes criticized for his inconsistency, for his secondary role, this performance resonates like a “Pay attention, I’m here.”
And Now? What Remains to Conquer
40 points do not make a clear path. He will need to turn this night into a trend. Provide the team with a stability it does not yet have. The Jazz want to take a step forward. And when your leading scorer gets 40 but it’s not enough, it raises questions.
Markkanen can come out of this game with confidence. He can think: “Okay, I can be the one who makes the difference.” The challenge: for this to become the norm, not the exception.
In summary: Lauri Markkanen delivered a pure individual recital. 40 points, smooth shooting, hot hand. But a recital does not always lead to victory. The team still needs to get into its collective rhythm. Him? He showed that he has changed dimensions. Now, we’ll see if he can stay up there.
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