Jusuf Nurkić is turning back the clock in Utah-and doing it with authority. The veteran big man, once thought to be on the back nine of his NBA career, just posted a triple-double against the Timberwolves: 16 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists.
That’s not just a good night-it’s historic. It marks only the fourth triple-double by a Jazz player in nearly two decades, and he’s the first since Andrei Kirilenko to put up at least 15 points, 15 boards, and 10 dimes in a single game.
And here’s the thing: if you’ve been watching Nurkić this season, you know this kind of performance has been bubbling under the surface. He’s been quietly putting together one of the most well-rounded seasons of his career, averaging 10.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. That’s not just box score stuffing-it’s impact basketball, and it’s helping reshape the identity of a Jazz team that many had written off before the season even tipped off.
Let’s rewind for a second. When Utah acquired Nurkić from the Hornets in exchange for Collin Sexton and a future second-round pick, the move barely registered on the national radar.
At the time, the Jazz were projected to be Western Conference cellar dwellers. Fast forward to now, and while their 15-29 record doesn’t scream playoff contender, they’ve been more competitive than expected-and Nurkić is a major reason why.
The big man has found a system that fits him like a glove. After bouncing through Phoenix and Charlotte-two teams that clearly didn’t see him as part of their long-term plans-Nurkić has landed in a place that not only values his game but knows how to use it.
Gone are the days of trying to force him into a modern stretch-five mold. In Utah, he’s thriving as a traditional center with a twist: he’s initiating offense, setting rock-solid screens, and showing off the kind of passing vision that’s long been underrated in his game.
This version of Nurkić looks a lot more like the one Portland fans remember-the one who anchored the Blazers' frontcourt with toughness and touch-than the player who struggled to find his footing in his recent stops. And that’s no small feat, especially considering the criticism he faced not long ago.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s national team coach publicly questioned his conditioning, saying he could “barely run.” At 31, that kind of narrative could’ve easily stuck.
But Nurkić is flipping the script. He’s proving that he still has plenty left in the tank-and more importantly, that he can still be a difference-maker when put in the right situation. Utah is giving him the freedom to play to his strengths, and the results are speaking for themselves.
It’s no surprise, then, that Nurkić has reportedly made it known he wants to stay in Utah past the trade deadline. And honestly, why wouldn’t he?
He’s playing meaningful minutes, contributing on both ends, and helping a young team find its identity. For a player who’s battled injuries, inconsistency, and questions about his fit in the modern NBA, this feels like a full-circle moment.
Jusuf Nurkić isn’t just reviving his career-he’s redefining it. And the Jazz, once seen as a team without direction, might’ve just found their anchor in the middle.