Utah Jazz heart Jusuf Nurkić can be sidelined for at the least 4 weeks after struggling a partial plantar plate tear of the second toe of his proper foot, the workforce introduced Wednesday — a troublesome blow for a workforce hoping to make a major leap up the Western Convention standings this season.
The Jazz say Nurkić sustained the damage throughout Utah’s preseason opener in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. It is unclear precisely when the 32-year-old heart acquired harm; he checked out with 2:41 remaining within the first half, and didn’t return after halftime. The Jazz went on to beat the Nuggets, 109-97.
Commercial
The sixteenth total decide within the 2014 NBA Draft, Nurkić has averaged 11.8 factors, 8.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 blocks in 24.5 minutes per sport over the course of a 12-year NBA profession that has included stints with the Nuggets, Portland Path Blazers, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Hornets and Jazz, whom he joined earlier than the 2025-26 NBA season. After he made 41 appearances in Salt Lake Metropolis final season, together with 36 begins, the Jazz re-signed Nurkić to a two-year, $22 million contract in free company.
Utah Jazz heart Jusuf Nurkić (left) seems to go the ball whereas defended by Denver Nuggets heart Nikola Jokić throughout a preseason NBA sport on Sunday, Oct. 4 2026. (AP/David Zalubowski)
(AP Picture/David Zalubowski)
When the Los Angeles Lakers supplied Utah two unprotected first-round picks plus two extra decide swaps for restricted free agent heart Walker Kessler, the Bosnian massive man rapidly jumped again up the depth chart and into the beginning lineup alongside incumbent star Lauri Markkanen and trade-deadline acquisition Jaren Jackson Jr. That is the entrance line that Utah began within the preseason opener — a bunch that permits former Defensive Participant of the Yr Jackson to play his extra pure place at energy ahead, that maximizes Utah’s dimension and rebounding potential on the defensive finish, and that provides the newly prolonged Keyonte George and No. 2 total draft decide Darryn Peterson a constant screening associate, dribble handoff hub and connective passer to pair with in head coach Will Hardy’s free-flowing offense.
The early returns have been promising — Nurkić had two factors, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, one block and one steal within the opener, with Utah outscoring Denver by three factors in his 11 minutes of flooring time — however Hardy and Co. will now have to attend some time earlier than getting an extended take a look at that grouping. Nurkić can be re-evaluated in 4 weeks, and might be sidelined even longer; “an replace can be offered at the moment,” the Jazz mentioned of their assertion.
Commercial
The Jazz began Jaxson Hayes within the center of their second preseason sport in opposition to the Nuggets on Tuesday. With Nurkić unavailable, the seven-year veteran figures to see an uptick in taking part in time and alternatives via the beginning of the common season, as might third-year massive man Kyle Filipowski.
Hardy might additionally look to shift Jackson as much as the 5 spot, creating area on the wing for rising sophomore Ace Bailey to slip in alongside Markkanen, George and Peterson. The second-year professional began rather than Markkanen on Tuesday, scoring 10 factors on 4-for-12 capturing with seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 27 minutes of play because the Nuggets beat the Jazz, 117-106.