In just 25 minutes, he scored 48 points, which left him feeling quite frustrated.

You might find it hard to believe, but Lauri Markkanen, who came to the Jazz in the Mitchell trade in 2022, is now the player with the longest tenure on the team. This team, which has been in a rebuilding phase for three years, has finally made Markkanen their most experienced player.

To put it another way, Markkanen's time with the Jazz has been quite a journey, starting strong but tapering off, with last season going largely unnoticed. In his first year with the Jazz, he had the best season of his career, averaging 25.6 points and 8.7 rebounds, with a three-point shooting percentage of 39.1%, quickly becoming one of the top power forwards in the league, earning an All-Star selection and being named the Most Improved Player.

In the 23-24 season, Markkanen still managed to average 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds, with a three-point shooting percentage of 39.9%. However, this season, he only played 55 games, hinting at a sense of sacrifice for the team's struggles.

In the summer of 2024, knowing that the team would continue to struggle, he still signed a new five-year contract worth $238 million with the Jazz, as they offered too much to refuse.

Last season, the Jazz took their struggles to a new level, winning only 17 games throughout the season, firmly occupying the last place in the Western Conference. But as we all know, the Jazz ended up with only the fifth overall pick, luckily landing Bilal Koulibaly, which wasn't too bad.

Meanwhile, the team's core player, Markkanen, played only 47 games throughout the season due to various "minor injuries," marking a new low in his NBA career. His statistics also hit a new low for his time with the Jazz, averaging 19 points and 5.9 rebounds.

For a former All-Star player who is only 28 and still in the prime of his career, is this decline over two consecutive years acceptable? Clearly, last season's performance does not fully reflect Markkanen's true abilities.

It is well-known that Markkanen plays a completely different role for the national team. Back in 2015, at just 18 years old, he was the top scorer in the U18 European Championship, and the following year, he averaged 24.9 points in the U20 European Championship, once again taking home the scoring title.

As an adult, Markkanen remains the absolute cornerstone of the Finnish national team. In the 2017 European Championship, he averaged 19.5 points and 5.7 rebounds over six games; in the 2022 European Championship, he impressively averaged 27.9 points over seven games, scoring 43 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals in the Round of 16, setting a national team record.

In the 2023 World Cup, after just completing a peak season in the NBA, he continued to dominate in the FIBA competition, averaging 24.8 points and 8 rebounds. Unfortunately, they suffered an upset loss to Japan, but he scored over 30 points in two consecutive games during the subsequent classification matches.

Over the past few years, whether on the European stage or at the World Cup, Markkanen has been a top-tier star, single-handedly carrying the Finnish national team, truly becoming a national hero.

At the end of August, the new European Championship will kick off, and teams are currently entering the warm-up match phase. In a recent warm-up game, Markkanen showcased his unparalleled scoring ability once again.

Finland achieved a 105-62 victory over Belgium, with Markkanen playing just 25 minutes, shooting 17 of 24 from the field, including 7 of 13 from three-point range, scoring an incredible 48 points, along with 9 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block. His 48 points also broke the national team scoring record of 43 points that he set during the 2022 European Championship.

Although it was just a warm-up match, Markkanen, who has been feeling frustrated with the Jazz, was finally able to unleash his skills with the national team. The key point is that he played only 25 minutes, averaging nearly two points per minute, showcasing a terrifying scoring efficiency. This summer's FIBA events may not see such a wild scoring display again.

Perhaps a team that views Markkanen as their absolute core won't have a high ceiling. But for Finland, a player like Markkanen is like a rare gem, allowing them to secure a place in European basketball.

Last summer, knowing that the Jazz would continue to struggle, Markkanen re-signed with the team not just for the money, but also because the environment constantly reminded him of his hometown in Finland. Markkanen stated, "It reminds me of home; the outdoor environment is very similar to Finland."

Every time he puts on the blue jersey representing Finland, Markkanen gives his all and feels proud. In a country with a population of less than 6 million, Markkanen is their "Jordan."