8:43 pm: The Jazz confirmed that Nurkic suffered the injury in Sunday’s game and stated that he will be reevaluated in four weeks (Twitter link).
6:11 pm: Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic suffered a partial plantar plate tear of the second toe in his right foot and is expected to be sidelined for at least four weeks, league sources tell NBA insider Chris Haynes (Twitter link).
Nurkic started Utah’s preseason opener on Sunday, but only played 11 minutes. He didn’t practice Monday and was held out of Tuesday’s game.
Free agent addition Jaxson Hayes, who started in Nurkic’s place, could be the primary option in the middle until he is able to return. Jaren Jackson Jr., who saw a lot of time at center in Memphis, and Kyle Filipowski also figures to help make up for Nurkic’s absence. Mo Bamba, who re-signed with the team on a partially guaranteed deal this summer, is another option.
Nurkic, 32, became Utah’s primary starting center last season after Walker Kessler’s injury. Nurkic was limited to 41 games, but he made 36 starts and averaged 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 26.4 minutes per night while shooting 50.3% from the field.
Nurkic, who was acquired in a trade with Charlotte last summer, agreed to a two-year, $22MM contract in late June just before the start of free agency. It will pay him $11.5MM this season before declining to $10.5MM in 2027/28.