Utah Jazz provide injury updates on Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr.
Oct 27, 2026, 2:19 PM
From left, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jusuf Nurkic and Lauri Markkanen look on from the bench during an NBA game between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz provided injury updates on Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. after both of the frontcourt starters went down against the Grizzlies on Monday.
Jackson Jr. sustained a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee. Markkanen sustained a right wrist sprain.
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Jackson Jr. will be re-evaluated in six weeks. ESPN NBA Insiders Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon placed a six- to eight-week return timeline for JJJ in their initial report.
RELATED: Reports – Jaren Jackson Jr. suffered torn MCL, will miss 6-8 weeks
Markkanen avoided any significant damage, though the injury is still on his shooting hand/wrist. He is currently listed as day-to-day.
Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr. sustain injuries in game four against Memphis
In the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, October 26, both Markkanen and Jackson Jr. would suffer injuries that would ultimately end their nights.
Markkanen had his hand caught between two players while navigating an off-ball screen, and Jackson Jr. had his knee bent awkwardly after a Grizzlies player fell backward into his planted leg.
The Jazz eventually provided updates that Markkanen (right wrist) and Jackson Jr. (right knee) would not return to the game.
Lauri, JJJ lead Utah Jazz out of the gates
Utah Jazz president of basketball operations Austin Ainge laid it out simply at media day last month.
Lauri and Jaren are our two best players.
That impact was felt both in preseason and in the first week of the regular season.
Jackson Jr. serves as the captain defensively, using his voice and overall presence to raise the floor of the group on that end. The importance of his rim protection and defensive IQ can’t be overstated on a young team vying for a postseason appearance.
Markkanen is the longest-tenured Jazz player, and one of the most dynamic scoring forwards in the NBA. A self-described lead-by-example type, the Jazz offense often goes as Lauri goes.
Through the first three games, Jackson Jr. averaged 19.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in just under 32 minutes. Markkanen was the team’s second-leading scorer, with 20.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
