2025-26 Season
LAURI MARKKANEN
2025-26 Season
LAURI MARKKANEN
PBP Credit: Every play is analyzed from play-by-play data. Scorers get difficulty-adjusted credit, assisters get creation value based on the shot opportunity they created, and turnovers are classified by type. Shot difficulty is derived from 1M+ shots across 4 seasons. Full methodology
TEAM COMPARISON
of 19 teammates (10+ games, 10+ min)
Similar Players
Same position, closest production profile this season.
SKILL DNA
Percentile rank vs 234 Forwards with 10+ games
THE SEASON SO FAR
A wildly volatile but undeniable scoring binge defined the opening chapter of Lauri Markkanen's season, revealing a player whose nightly value lived and died by the jumper. When his stroke was pure, he was a terrifying offensive force, peaking on 10/27 vs PHX with a 51-point, 14-rebound explosion that generated a massive +21.4 impact score by breaking the defense with an overwhelming workload. Yet, his absolute green light occasionally became a glaring detriment, perfectly illustrated on 11/28 vs SAC. Despite tallying 28 points in that contest, his stubborn insistence on settling for contested looks resulted in an ugly 2-for-13 mark from beyond the arc, dragging his impact down to a -1.2 as the sheer inefficiency neutralized his raw scoring volume. He did occasionally find ways to contribute when the perimeter well ran dry. On 11/07 vs MIN, Markkanen managed a meager 12 points on abysmal 4-of-14 shooting, but an unexpectedly dominant defensive effort salvaged the night and secured a +2.3 impact. He remains an elite offensive engine. However, his true value hinges entirely on whether he leverages his gravity to create or stubbornly settles for heavily contested threes.
A wild tug-of-war between erratic shot selection and brilliant off-ball utility defined this volatile stretch of Markkanen's season. High scoring totals frequently masked underlying issues, perfectly illustrated on 12/22 vs DEN. Despite pouring in 27 points, a brutal 2-for-9 night from beyond the arc and a sluggish defensive showing (-5.0 def) dragged his overall impact down to an abysmal -8.7. Conversely, he could quietly tilt the floor without dominating the box score. During a modest 18-point outing on 02/05 vs ATL, Markkanen still posted a +7.2 impact because his lethal off-ball movement constantly forced the defense into rotation. When everything clicked simultaneously, like on 12/27 vs SAS, he was an absolute terror. He torched San Antonio for 29 points on blistering 11-of-16 shooting, generating a massive +15.1 impact through pristine efficiency and stellar defensive positioning.
IMPACT TIMELINE
Game-by-game performance vs average. Green = above average, red = below.
Very consistent. Markkanen posts positive impact in 98% of games — you almost always get a productive night. Scoring varies by ~8 points, but the overall contribution stays positive.
Middle-of-the-road efficiency — shoots 45%+ from the field in 55% of games. Not automatic, but not a problem either.
Defensive difference-maker. Markkanen consistently forces tough shots and protects the rim — opponents shoot worse when he's guarding them.
Performance has dropped off. First-half impact: +20.1, second-half: +16.2. Worth watching whether it's fatigue, injury, or opponents adjusting.
Hot right now — 25 straight games with positive impact. Longest positive run this season: 25 games.
MATCHUP HISTORY
Based on 43 games with tracking data. Shows who guarded this player on offense and who he guarded on defense, with their shooting stats in those matchups.
ON OFFENSE: WHO GUARDED HIM
His shooting stats against each primary defender this season
ON DEFENSE: WHO HE GUARDED
How opponents shot when he was the primary defender. Lower FG% = better defense.
SEASON STATS
GAME LOG
42 games played
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