Jaren Jackson Jr.’s Jazz Era Lasts Exactly Three Games Before Season-Ending Knee Surgery
Underdog NBA reported Jackson would not return to Monday's game due to a knee injury.
The Utah Jazz's shiny new toy is already going back in the box. Jaren Jackson Jr. left Monday's game against his former team with a knee injury and will not return, which is putting it mildly since reports indicate he is actually done for the entire season.
Underdog NBA broke the initial news that Jackson was done for the night, but the reality is much darker for anyone who just bought a number 20 Jazz jersey. Jackson is reportedly undergoing knee surgery to remove a PVNS growth just three games into his Utah tenure.
Three games. That is barely enough time to figure out your favorite local coffee shop or memorize the defensive rotations. Jackson gave Utah exactly enough minutes to tease his potential before the medical staff pulled the plug on the entire operation.
But let's be honest about what is happening in Salt Lake City. The Jazz are currently executing a tank job so blatant it belongs in a museum. In Jackson's debut against the , he dropped 22 points before Utah conveniently benched him, Lauri Markkanen, and Jusuf Nurkic for the entire fourth quarter to secure a three-point loss.
Now you have to wonder what the Memphis Grizzlies knew before they shipped him out. Memphis was literally playing Utah on Monday night when Jackson went down. Trading a guy right before he needs season-ending knee surgery is either a massive medical coincidence or a front-office masterclass by the Grizzlies.
If you are holding any Utah futures or Jackson player props, those tickets are officially expensive bookmarks. The Jazz will now pivot to playing guys you have to look up on Wikipedia, fully embracing the race to the bottom of the standings while Jackson starts a long rehab process for next year.