Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic Ruled Out for Season

The Utah Jazz will be without their starting center for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

Feb. 23, 2026 at 8:37pm

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The Utah Jazz have announced that center Jusuf Nurkic will undergo a surgical procedure on his nose that will sideline him for the rest of the season. Nurkic had been dealing with an injury to his nose and was recently ruled out for the past two games. The 26-year-old big man has been a key part of the Jazz's rotation this year, averaging 10.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.

Why it matters

Nurkic's absence is a significant blow to the Jazz, who are already dealing with season-ending injuries to Walker Kessler and Jaren Jackson Jr. in their frontcourt. The team will now have to rely on Kyle Filipowski to start at center for the remainder of the season, as they look to secure a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The details

Nurkic will undergo the surgical procedure on his nose on Wednesday and is expected to be sidelined for the next six weeks, ruling him out for the rest of the 2025-26 season. The Jazz acquired Nurkic in the offseason and he had been a productive starter, leading the team in total rebounds and ranking third in total assists.

  • Nurkic was recently ruled out for the past two games with what was listed as injury management for his nose.
  • Nurkic will undergo the surgical procedure on his nose on Wednesday, February 23, 2026.

The players

Jusuf Nurkic

A 26-year-old starting center for the Utah Jazz who was acquired in the offseason and was having a productive season, averaging a double-double before being ruled out for the remainder of the year due to a nose injury.

Walker Kessler

The Jazz's starting center who has been out since November with a shoulder injury, leaving a void in the team's frontcourt.

Jaren Jackson Jr.

A trade deadline acquisition for the Jazz who is expected to miss the rest of the season following surgery on his left knee.

Kyle Filipowski

The Jazz player who will now be tasked with starting at center for the remainder of the season with Nurkic, Kessler, and Jackson Jr. all sidelined.

Will Hardy

The head coach of the Utah Jazz.

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What they’re saying

“BREAKING: Utah Jazz starting center Jusuf Nurkić will undergo a surgical procedure on his nose Wednesday that will sideline him for the remainder of the season, league sources tell me.”

— Chris Haynes, NBA Insider

What’s next

The Jazz will now have to rely on Kyle Filipowski to start at center for the remainder of the season as they look to secure a playoff spot in the Western Conference without Nurkic, Kessler, and Jackson Jr. in the frontcourt.

The takeaway

Nurkic's season-ending injury is a significant blow to the Jazz, who are already dealing with multiple frontcourt injuries. The team will have to find a way to overcome these losses and continue to compete for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.