Jazz forward Jaren Jackson Jr he was diagnosed with a torn MCL in his right knee and is expected to miss approximately six to eight weeks, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charanya and Tim McMahon (Link to Twitter).
Jackson will not need surgery to repair the tear, Charanya and McMahon add.
Jackson was injured early in the second quarter of Monday’s loss to Memphis when the Grizzlies guard You, Jerome fell to his right knee after driving into the net and was fouled All Mihailyuks (Link to video on Twitter). Left on the floor in pain for a few moments, Jackson was able to stay in the game for the next offensive possession, but he was subsequently ejected and ruled out for the night.
It’s a disappointing turn of events for the Jazz, who are hoping to compete for a playoff spot this season after a long rebuilding process. Utah signed Jackson last offseason with a stipulation that he would team up with Lauri Markkanen to form one of the NBA’s most formidable offensive duos. However, he is had season-ending knee surgery in February after appearing in just three games for his new side, and now faces another lengthy injury absence just four games into the 2026/27 season.
In his three full games with the Jazz this fall, Jackson averaged 19.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 31.3 minutes a night on .513/.417/.778 shooting. Utah went 1-2 in those games and dropped to 1-3 with Monday’s loss.
Markkanen also pulled out of Monday’s competition early with a wrist injury. We are still awaiting word on the severity of this injury.
Even if they get positive news about Markkanen, the Jazz will be short-term in the frontcourt with a starting center Yusuf Nurkich also on the shelf as a result of a toe injury. Additional backup center Jackson Hayes missed Monday’s game with right shoulder soreness.
A great man Mo Bamba and wings Josh Green and Josh Okogie were among the Jazz players who stepped up in the second half of Monday’s game when Jackson and Markkanen were unavailable. Center Tony Bradley also played for the first time this season.