Jaren Jackson Jr. to Miss Remainder of Season Following Knee Surgery
Tough news out of Salt Lake City: Utah Jazz big man Jaren Jackson Jr. will be sidelined for the rest of the 2025-26 season after undergoing surgery to remove a localized pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) growth in his left knee. The condition was discovered during a post-trade physical via MRI, and after consulting with medical experts, Jackson, his camp, and the Jazz agreed to move forward with surgery during the All-Star break.
For a player who’s built his reputation on durability and defensive dominance, this is an unfortunate setback. But the Jazz made it clear they expect Jackson to make a full recovery.
At 6-foot-11 and 242 pounds, Jackson has been a force on both ends this season. In 48 starts, he’s averaging 19.4 points on 47.6% shooting, along with 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game. Those numbers speak to his versatility - a big who can stretch the floor, protect the rim, and switch defensively without becoming a liability.
This marks Jackson’s eighth year in the league, and at just 26, he’s already compiled a résumé that puts him in rare company. He’s a two-time All-Star, made his first appearance back in 2023 - fittingly, in Salt Lake City - and was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season.
He’s also earned All-Defensive First Team honors in back-to-back years (2021-22 and 2022-23), with a Second Team nod last season. He led the league in blocks in both 2021-22 and 2022-23, and his career totals back it up: over 8,000 points, 2,500 rebounds, and 800 blocks.
No other player from his 2018 draft class has hit those marks.
The injury comes at a time when the Jazz are already looking ahead. Sitting at 18-37, Utah’s focus has shifted toward the future - and with a deep 2026 draft class on the horizon, they’re positioning themselves for a rebuild that could bear fruit as early as next season. Losing Jackson for the rest of the year doesn’t derail that plan, but it does delay their ability to fully integrate him into the system post-trade.
Still, for a team building toward something bigger, Jackson’s long-term health is the priority. And when he’s back - fully healthy and ready to anchor the defense - the Jazz will be better for it.