The Utah Jazz are short on players to place on their court. Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkić will undergo season-ending surgery on his nose, according to NBA Insider Chris Haynes. Nurkić has reportedly suffered from breathing and sleeping complications since fracturing his nose a few years ago.
Nurkić averaged 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 50.3% from the field in his first season with the Jazz. The 31-year-old has also played for the Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets.
Advertisement
Nurkić is the latest Jazz player to be ruled out for the remainder of the season. Jaren Jackson Jr. was also excluded for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his left knee. Jackson was reportedly closed to ensure its long-term health after localized PVNS growth was discovered following the trade.
Jackson was acquired by the Jazz in a February trade that sent several players and three future first-round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies. Jazz center Walker Kessler played in five games this season before undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
With Nurkić ruled out, expect the Jazz to go with Kyle Filipowski, 37-year-old Kevin Love, and two-way contract player Oscar Tshiebwe. The Jazz could also experiment with playing star forward Lauri Markkanen at center, provided he isn’t stopped.
The Jazz’s injuries come at a time when the league is trying to repress on tankingwith teams at the bottom of the standings looking at a busy 2026 NBA Draft. The Jazz and Indiana Pacers were recently fined for “obvious tanking behavior“.
Advertisement
The Jazz and Pacers have been under scrutiny as both teams have a chance to keep their 2026 NBA Draft picks depending on where they land. The Jazz can only keep their pick if they go in the top eight of the draft.
Teams like Kings of Sacramento And Wizards of Washington have also recently sat star players they recently acquired. The Jazz are 18-39, currently second to last in the West.
