Jusuf Nurkić reportedly out for season because of nose surgery as season-ending injuries pile up for Jazz

The Utah Jazz are running out of players to put in their frontcourt. Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkić will undergo a season-ending surgical procedure on his nose, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes. Nurkić has reportedly experienced complications with breathing and sleeping 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 spent time playing for the Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers and the Denver Nuggets.

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Nurkić is the latest Jazz player to be ruled out for the rest of the season. Jaren Jackson Jr. was also ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his left knee. Jackson was reportedly shut down to ensure his long-term health after a localized PVNS growth was discovered post-trade.

Jackson was acquired by the Jazz in a trade in February that sent multiple 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, as long as he is not shut down.

The Jazz injuries come at a time when the league is trying to crack down on tanking, with teams near the bottom of the standings eyeing a loaded 2026 NBA Draft. The Jazz and the Indiana Pacers were recently fined for “overt tanking behavior.”

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The Jazz and Pacers have been under scrutiny because both team have a chance to keeping their 2026 NBA Draft picks, depending on where they land. The Jazz can only keep their pick if it lands in the top eight.

Teams such as the Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards have also recently sat star players they recently acquired. The Jazz are 18-39, currently second to last in the West.

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/jusuf-nurkic-reportedly-out-for-season-because-of-nose-surgery-as-season-ending-injuries-pile-up-for-jazz-212911124.html

Author : Tarohn Finley

Publish date : 2026-02-23 21:29:00

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