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Lauri Markkanen · Lauri Markkanen’s first year with the Utah Jazz was a resounding success. The former top-10 pick enjoyed a career breakthrough in his sixth season as he earned his first All-Star selection en route to being named the NBA’s Most Improved Player. Markkanen enjoyed the most explosive performance of his career against the Houston Rockets, showing zero hesitation on a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer for one of his six triples on the night. Markkanen poured in a career-high 49 points on 15 of 27 shooting while grabbing eight rebounds and committing zero turnovers in Utah’s 131-114 win on January 5, 2023. After averaging 14.8 points per game with the Cleveland Cavaliers a season ago, that number jumped to 25.6 on 50 percent shooting — both career-highs. · State of Mint