Amid his historic run with Finland at EuroBasket 2025, Utah Jazz star forward Lauri Markkanen opened up about the differences between the NBA and international play. The one-time NBA All-Star suggested that a few key aspects may give FIBA the edge when it comes to scoring difficulty.
Markkanen has been the biggest standout for Finland at this year’s EuroBasket, helping his country defy the odds and reach unprecedented heights. Following a third-place finish in group play in Group B (3-2), Finland upset a Nikola Jokić-led Serbia squad 92-86 in the Round of 16. It continued its Cinderella run on Wednesday, dispatching Georgia 93-79 in the quarterfinals to book its first-ever semifinal appearance.
“The Finnisher” tallied a team-high 29 points against Serbia before chipping in another 17 points against Georgia. Though most players competing in the tournament aren’t in the NBA, according to Markkanen, his buckets haven’t come easily.
Why Does Lauri Markkanen Think FIBA Presents Tougher Scoring Challenges Than NBA?
During an interview with Drafteados released Wednesday, journalist Jose Saenz de Tejada referenced Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard Luka Dončić’s early June comments about it being easier to score in the NBA than in FIBA. He asked Markkanen whether he has the “same answer” or if he “looks at it differently.”
Markkanen gave a nuanced reply, underscoring the advantages and disadvantages of scoring in both environments, from the length and flow of games to physicality levels. The 7-footer ultimately credited FIBA for rivaling the NBA and providing its own unique set of challenges, some of which he considers more taxing.
“I think there’s both sides to it,” Markkanen began. “[The] NBA has the best players in the world in every team, and games are longer, so you have more time to score points and stuff. Then, well, of course, there is rules that make the NBA easier for that, which is the defensive three-second rule or the not tipping the ball on the top of the rim, which pisses me off here.
“But, yeah, I think there’s both sides to it, and obviously, the game is really physical here, and sometimes you do get the call, sometimes not. But I think, in certain ways, FIBA might be tougher for sure.”
How Is Markkanen Building His Profile in EuroBasket and Beyond?
Regardless, Markkanen has proven himself to be an elite scorer at both levels. He ranks third among all scorers at EuroBasket 2025, averaging 24.7 points per game on 43.8% shooting in just 28.7 minutes a night.
Similarly, since breaking out with Utah in 2022, the 28-year-old is averaging 23.0 ppg on 47.3% shooting in 33.1 minutes a night over his last three NBA seasons.
Markkanen will look to further his international success during Finland’s Friday semifinal clash against Germany.