Jaren Jackson Jr. Will Miss Remainder of 2025-2026 Season with Jazz
Shocking injury for Jaren Jackson Jr. The Jazz All-Star will undergo left knee surgery and likely miss the rest of the 2025-2026 season, just three games after his arrival.
Feb 12, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (middle) reacts after guard Vince Williams Jr. (0) is ejected against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Photo Credit : Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Discovery During Post-Trade Medical Examination
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Jaren Jackson Jr. is likely to miss the remainder of the season to undergo surgery on his left knee. “Utah Jazz star Jaren Jackson Jr. is likely to miss the rest of the season to undergo surgery on his left knee to ensure his long-term health after a localized PVNS (pigmented villonodular synovitis) growth was discovered following his trade,” Haynes reported, citing league sources.
The timing made the news particularly jarring. Jackson Jr. had played just hours earlier against the Sacramento Kings, delivering an emphatic performance — 25 points in 22 minutes — to power a 121–93 win. According to the Jazz, the growth was identified during a post-trade medical evaluation, an abrupt turn for the former Memphis Grizzlies big man after what looked like a seamless on-court transition.
A Rare but Benign Problem Requiring Surgery
A PVNS growth is a rare, slow-developing benign tumor within a joint, one that can bring pain, stiffness and progressive joint damage. After consulting with medical specialists, the decision was made to proceed with surgery and shut down Jaren Jackson Jr.’s season, prioritizing long-term health over any short-term return.
The setback leaves the Utah Jazz with another long-term absence. Jackson Jr. becomes the second Jazz player ruled out for the remainder of the season, joining center Walker Kessler, who has been sidelined since November while recovering from a shoulder injury.
BREAKING: Utah Jazz star Jaren Jackson Jr. is likely to miss the remainder of the season to undergo surgery on his left knee to ensure his longterm health after a localized PVNS growth was discovered post trade, league sources tell me. pic.twitter.com/pHeJT8NphE
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 12, 2026
Before the injury intervened, Jackson Jr.’s brief stint in Utah hinted at a smooth transition. Across three games, Jaren Jackson Jr. averaged 22.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.0 steals, shooting 49.0 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three — enough of a sample to spark optimism about how he might fit alongside the Jazz’s developing core heading into 2026–27.
For now, that vision is on hold. With 27 games remaining, the Utah Jazz are expected to finish the season without their All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year, as Jackson Jr. turns his focus fully toward recovery and positioning himself for a clean return next season.
With a background in sports management, Nicolas Flamecourt covers NBA news with a particular passion for the North American league, which he has been following for several years. He also covers the NCAA, including news and scouting of future prospects, and regularly conducts interviews with French players as well as players competing in Europe.
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