Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Lauri Markkanen is having a remarkable year and the best season of his career for the Utah Jazz. Averaging 24.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game on 51.2% shooting from the field, Markkanen received his due and got his first NBA All-Star nod.
Sunday was an eventful night for the 25-year old Jazz forward. Besides playing in his first All-Star game, Markkanen found himself being picked last in the All-Star draft and joining Team Giannis for a very odd and funny situation.
With just Markkanen and Nikola Jokic on the board, the Denver Nuggets big man stood up and walked up to team captain LeBron James before LeBron even made his pick. Markannen, who was left on the stage, automatically became the final player to be drafted.
Appearing in the post-game interview, Markannen now jokingly blamed Jokic for being the last pick of the All-Star draft.
“[Nikola Jokic] thought he was the last pick. So that’s why he stood up so early, made me look even worse. So…I blame it on him.”
Jokic crashes Lauri’s presser, Lauri says “I blame it on him.” For being picked last pic.twitter.com/IZkSnidU7a
— Calvin Chappell (@CHALVIN2018) February 20, 2023
