Utah Jazz center Jaren Jackson Jr. will miss the rest of the 2025-26 NBA season due to a surgery to remove a localized pigmented villonodular synovitis growth in his left knee. The Jazz released the news this morning. Here’s the text of their update:
SALT LAKE CITY (Feb. 12, 2026) – The Utah Jazz announced today that Jaren Jackson Jr. will undergo surgery to remove a localized pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) growth in his left knee. The growth was identified in a post-trade physical with magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI). Upon consultation with multiple medical experts, Jackson Jr., his representation, and the Jazz determined the procedure would take place in the coming days over NBA All-Star break. Jackson Jr., a two-time All-Star, made his inaugural All-Star debut in 2023 in Salt Lake City and is expected to make a full recovery.
Jackson Jr. (6-11, 242, Michigan State) is in his eighth NBA season and is currently averaging 19.4 points on 47.6 percent from the field, as well as 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.4 blocks in 48 games (all starts). The Carmel, Ind., native has appeared in 455 games (446 starts), owning career averages of 18.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and 1.5 assists in 28.8 minutes per contest.
At just 26 years old, Jackson Jr. has already been named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2022-23, a member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team (2021-22, 2022-23) and Second Team (2024-25), and led the NBA in blocks in two seasons (2021-22 and 2022-23). Drafted with the fourth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by Memphis, he’s the only player in his draft class to have totaled over 8,000 points, 2,500 rebounds, and 800 blocks.
Chris Haynes is reporting that recovery will take Jackson, Jr. out for the rest of the year. That is not likely to disturb Utah’s plans too much, as the 18-37 team is widely viewed as one of the main contenders for high lottery position in a loaded 2026 NBA Draft in preparation for a more serious run next year.
The Jazz acquired Jackson, Jr. at this year’s trade deadline from the Memphis Grizzlies.
