In the final slate before the NBA’s All-Star weekend, Chris Haynes of NBA On Prime reported that Jaren Jackson Jr. is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to left knee surgery. A localized PVNS growth was discovered recently after the blockbuster trade that sent Jackson Jr. to the Jazz along with John Konchar, Jock Landale, and Vince Williams Jr. The Grizzlies received Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, and three future 1st round picks.
The Jazz don’t have much to play for this season due to their 18-37 record and have almost no hope of reaching the playoffs. Jackson Jr.’s surgery is the final nail in the coffin for Utah.
Jackson Jr. started off the year slowly but managed to pick up the pace recently, and will now conclude the season with averages of 19.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.4 SPG, and 2.2 BPG while shooting 47.6% from the floor and 35.7% from three. His health has been an oft-discussed issue, and it’s clear the Jazz want to be careful with their newly acquired PF/C by addressing his injury before it gets any worse.
With Jackson Jr. now likely done, John Konchar and Kyle Filipowski figure to pick up Jackson’s minutes. The latter has been productive lately, averaging 12 points, 10.2 rebounds, and one steal in his last five games.
The Jazz are currently 8.5-point underdogs on the DraftKings Sportsbook tonight.
