Lauri Markkanen has erupted in back-to-back games for Team Finland.
Team Finland was always looking at an uphill climb during the FIBA World Cup. They were always going to be a bit of an underdog, considering they’re not a country known for their international hoops’ success. Their best player ever is currently the star of the Utah Jazz, Lauri Markkanen.
So while the Finnish weren’t expected to be huge players in the second or third rounds, going 0-3 in the opening round of Group Play was a big shock. Markaknen did all he could but he couldn’t carry the team to success by himself against the world’s best.
Yet, since entering the Classification Round, Team Finland has been doing much better, against the not-so-great teams in the FIBA World Cup.
Against Cape Verde, the Finnish dropped 100 points on them, behind a stellar outing from Markkanen, who played nearly 27 minutes, scoring 34 points and bringing down nine rebounds. He shot over 63% from the floor, with a respectable 80% from the free-throw line. It was one of Markkanen’s best individual games of the Tournament and arguably the best the Finnish squad looked since the international contest began.
Then Team Finland took on the Venezuela squad, where Markkanen once again showcased his touch with the ball. In just under 25 minutes, Markkanen once again dropped 32 points, this time hitting nearly 69% of his shots from the floor, as well as 50% from three.
He once again pulled in nine rebounds and was a powerhouse that wasn’t going to be stopped. The Finnish squad finished 2-3 in the tournament and got to at least hold their heads high as they won their last two games of the year.
For Markkanen, the focus now shifts to the upcoming regular season, where he’s expected to be the engine that drives the Utah Jazz.