Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic will undergo surgery on his nose this week and is expected to miss the remainder of the season, the team announced. The decision to proceed with the procedure effectively ends his campaign and removes a veteran presence from Utah’s frontcourt rotation as the team plays out the stretch of its schedule.
Details about when and how the injury occurred have not been disclosed, nor have specifics about the exact nature of the nasal issue. However, the Jazz and Nurkic have opted for surgery at this stage of the season, a move that suggests a focus on his long‑term health and readiness for future campaigns rather than pushing through the injury over the remaining games.
Nurkic’s absence leaves the Jazz without an experienced, physical center who brings size, screening, and interior defense. Throughout his career, Nurkic has been known for his rebounding, ability to battle in the paint, and his passing from the high post. His skill set has often helped facilitate offense for teammates while anchoring the defense near the rim.
With Nurkic sidelined, Utah will be forced to adjust its rotation and frontcourt minutes, relying more heavily on other bigs on the roster to handle interior duties on both ends of the floor. The change may open additional opportunities for younger players and reserves to take on expanded roles, gain experience, and shoulder more responsibility in the closing portion of the season.
The team has not provided a public timeline beyond confirming that Nurkic will sit out the rest of this campaign. Nose surgeries of this type can involve both functional and structural considerations, and players typically return once healing, breathing, and protective measures are deemed sufficient by medical staff. In this case, Utah is choosing caution, allowing Nurkic to recover fully without the pressure of a quick return.
Looking ahead, the focus for Nurkic will be on a successful surgery and rehabilitation program designed to restore full health and comfort. For the Jazz, the remainder of the season will involve adapting to life without their veteran center, evaluating internal options in the frontcourt, and planning for a future in which Nurkic is expected to rejoin the team once cleared.
