The Utah Jazz are heading toward the regular season with an early frontcourt problem on their hands. Center Jusuf Nurkic is expected to miss at least four weeks after suffering a partial plantar plate tear of the second toe in his right foot, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.
Nurkic had already been out for the Jazz’s second preseason game on Tuesday because of the foot issue, even after taking the floor in their first preseason matchup against the Nuggets over the weekend. What initially looked like a routine setback now appears to be much more serious, and it could keep him out longer depending on how his recovery unfolds.
That’s a tough break for Utah, which had seemingly penciled Nurkic into a major role after moving on from Walker Kessler earlier this offseason. The expectation was that Nurkic would open the year as the team’s starting center, much like he did for much of last season when injuries thinned out the Jazz frontcourt.
In 41 games last season, Nurkic averaged 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. He started all but five of the games he played, filling the middle after Kessler’s season-ending shoulder injury left a major opening.
His value went beyond the box score, too. He gave Utah rebounding, passing, and screen-setting, making him a useful and quietly important piece of the rotation.
Now that role is on hold. Instead of easing into the year as the starter, Nurkic will be watching from the sideline for the opening stretch of the season, and the Jazz have to figure out a new plan in a hurry.
Two options stand out for the job: Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jaxson Hayes.
If Jackson Jr. gets the nod, Utah would be leaning into its best overall five, even if that setup comes with some trade-offs. Jackson Jr. would slide to center, Ace Bailey would move to the second unit, and the Jazz would be betting on skill and talent over size. The downside is obvious: less rebounding and less frontcourt bulk.
Hayes presents a different look. He’s the more traditional center of the two and has played well in his first two preseason outings. Going that direction would let Utah keep a starting five that resembles the one it had in mind with Nurkic, though without the same rebounding punch or offensive upside.
Either way, this is an early-season hit to the rotation and a new problem for head coach Will Hardy to sort out before the games start counting.
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Jazz Preseason Loss Sparks Debate Over A Heated Jokic Moment
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For Utah, it was the kind of moment that can linger longer than the final score in a preseason game. Fans quickly debated the officiating and the players conduct on social media, turning one heated possession into the nights main talking point and leaving the Jazz with an unwanted side story after an otherwise routine loss. [Read more 🡒]