Jaren Jackson Jr.‘s season appears to have come to an abrupt end.
The two-time all-star is set to undergo left-knee surgery, the Utah Jazz announced on Thursday.
He is likely to miss the remainder of the season, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported.
Jackson’s procedure was done to remove a PVNS growth (a benign tumour) to ensure his long-term health, and was discovered by the Jazz through an MRI after they acquired the forward at the trade deadline, per Haynes.
The Jazz said surgery would take place during the all-star break and that Jackson is expected to make a full recovery.
Utah gave up three future first-round picks in the eight-player swap that landed the former Defensive Player of the Year in Salt Lake City recently.
Since then, Jackson had suited up in three games for the Jazz and posted averages of 22.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and two steals. For the season, which includes 45 games with the Memphis Grizzlies, he holds averages of 19.4 points, 5.67 rebounds, two assists, 1.1 steals and 1.4 blocks.
Jackson was taken fourth overall by the Grizzlies in the 2018 draft and had built himself up as one of the league’s premier bigs through his first 7.5 seasons in the NBA. Along with career averages of 18.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, one steal and 1.9 blocks, the 26-year-old was also a decent spacing threat as a career 35.1 per cent three-point shooter, and strong rim protector as a two-time block champ.
The New Jersey native has also made the all-defence team on three occasions.
Jackson signed a four-year, $205 million extension with Memphis last summer before the franchise ultimately opted to hit the reset button following a slow start in the loaded Western Conference.
His impact on the Jazz appeared to be immediate as they went 2-1 with him in the lineup.
Although the Jazz likely won’t have the forward for their final 27 games, it could work out better for the franchise. Utah’s 2026 first-round pick is top eight protected, and would end up with the Oklahoma City Thunder should it fall outside Nos. 1-8.
As things stand, the Jazz hold the NBA’s sixth-worst record at 18-37, which only leaves a 3.8 per cent chance of that pick being forfeited to OKC.