Utah Jazz forward Jaren Jackson Jr. will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season while he undergoes surgery to remove a growth in his left knee, the team announced Thursday.
According to team and league sources, the procedure will take place during the upcoming All-Star break. Doctors identified the growth—diagnosed as pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS)—during an MRI performed on Feb. 3, shortly after Jackson arrived from the Memphis Grizzlies in an eight-player trade.
Although Jackson is not currently experiencing pain, medical staff determined that prompt removal is necessary to prevent the growth from expanding, sources said. He is expected to be fully cleared well in advance of training camp.
The 26-year-old two-time All-Star averaged 22.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in his first three appearances with Utah, all of which were played under a minutes restriction. League officials had questioned the limited playing time amid concerns about potential tanking, but sources indicated the cap was imposed for medical reasons.
Before the trade, Jackson was posting 19.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game for Memphis and had earned the 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year award. His contract, renegotiated and extended last summer, carries four more seasons and $205 million, including a $53.5 million player option for 2029-30.
Memphis received rookie guard Walter Clayton Jr., forwards Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks and Georges Niang, along with three first-round draft picks in the Feb. 3 deal. Utah added Jackson, center Jock Landale and guards John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr.
The Jazz are 18-37, sitting 13th in the Western Conference and eight games behind the final play-in position.
Source: ESPN
