The Utah Jazz may finally be getting some encouraging movement on Jusuf Nurkic.
The starting center has been out for several weeks after suffering a partial plantar plate tear of the second toe in his right foot during Utah’s first preseason game. That injury has kept him on the shelf ever since and left the Jazz thinner in the middle, while also taking a bite out of their rebounding and offensive flexibility.
Now there’s a clearer sign that a return could be getting closer. According to the Salt Lake Tribune’s Shreyas Laddha, Nurkic is expected to be re-evaluated by the end of this week or early next week.
“According to a source, Nurkic is supposed to be re-evaluated at the end of this week or early next week. He’s done some light drills and shooting work, but his return will be a big help to the Jazz offense,” Laddha wrote.
That’s the most meaningful update on Nurkic since the preseason injury, and for Utah, it lands as welcome news.
The Jazz have already been dealing with a rough frontcourt situation early in the season. Nurkic has been sidelined, and Jaren Jackson Jr. is also working through a multi-week recovery after tearing his MCL at the end of October.
Getting Nurkic back would give Utah a needed boost in size and veteran experience. If he can bring over the production he showed last season, the fit could matter a lot for what the Jazz are trying to do.
In 41 games last season, Nurkic averaged 10.9 points on 50.3% shooting from the field, along with 10.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.3 steals in a little more than 26 minutes per game. He finished second on the roster in total rebounds behind Kyle Filipowski and was also among the team’s top four in total assists.
That kind of presence would be especially useful for a Jazz team that has struggled to find any real offensive rhythm through its 1-6 start.
As for timing, Utah has four games coming over the next week, including three on the road. The Jazz visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, then play the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves over the weekend before returning home to face the Miami Heat on Monday.
So the latest word on Nurkic should come by the end of that stretch at the latest. For now, though, the signs are pointing in the right direction for Utah’s starting center.
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