NBA2026-10-28Jaren Jackson Jr. Tears His MCL and Lauri Markkanen Sprains His Wrist: Who Plays Center for the Jazz Now
By Verdexed NBA Desk
The Utah Jazz lost their two best frontcourt players in the same game. Jaren Jackson Jr. tore the MCL in his right knee in Monday's 110-105 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and will miss six to eight weeks, according to ESPN's Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon. The Jazz said he will be re-evaluated in six weeks, and he is not expected to need surgery. Lauri Markkanen sprained his right wrist in the same game; X-rays were negative, an MRI confirmed the sprain, and Utah lists him as day to day.
Jackson was hurt when Memphis guard Ty Jerome fell into his leg, a doubly painful moment given that it came against the franchise Jackson spent the first part of his career with. For a Utah team that dropped to 1-3, the injuries create a frontcourt vacuum. For fantasy managers, they create one of the more interesting waiver situations of the young season.
The injuries
Jackson's MCL tear is significant but not surgical, which is the better of the two outcomes for this kind of injury. The six-week re-evaluation date is the earliest realistic return; plan around the full eight. Jackson was limited to a handful of games for Utah last season after knee surgery, which makes the setback especially frustrating for his managers.
Markkanen's sprain is less serious but affects his shooting hand, which matters for a high-volume three-point shooter. The Jazz are hopeful he will not miss an extended stretch.
Utah's frontcourt status:
| Player | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | Torn right MCL | Out 6 to 8 weeks |
| Lauri Markkanen | Right wrist sprain | Day to day |
| Jaxson Hayes | Not disclosed | Did not play Monday |
Who plays center
With Jackson out, Utah's center minutes fall to three players: Jaxson Hayes, Kyle Filipowski and Mo Bamba. None of them has a locked-in role, and that uncertainty is the main thing fantasy managers need to understand before spending a waiver claim.
Kyle Filipowski has the most fantasy upside. He averaged only about eight minutes per game across Utah's first four contests after an injury-interrupted offseason, but he is the most skilled of the three as a passer and face-up scorer. If he wins the job, he offers the kind of multi-category production (points, rebounds, assists, the occasional three) that plays in every format.
Mo Bamba is the most traditional rim protector of the group. He brings blocks and rebounds, and for category managers chasing those stats he is a reasonable streaming option. His minutes have historically been volatile.
Jaxson Hayes did not suit up Monday. If he returns, he complicates the picture as a vertical lob threat who could take a chunk of the minutes.
The most likely outcome is a committee for the first week or two. The player to bet on as the eventual winner is Filipowski, because of his skill set and his long-term value to a rebuilding team.
What it means for the rest of the Jazz
Keyonte George is the immediate beneficiary in the backcourt. He scored 26 points against Memphis and should see his usage rise further with two frontcourt scorers out or limited. He is a must-start in points leagues.
Markkanen, when he returns, becomes the clear focal point of the offense. If the wrist sprain costs him only a game or two, he should see a bump in usage with Jackson out. If the wrist lingers, watch for a dip in three-point efficiency in his first games back.
What to do in your league
Jackson managers: Stash him in an injured reserve slot if you have one. A six-to-eight-week absence is long, but his ceiling as a shot-blocking, floor-spacing big is worth holding in all but the shallowest leagues.
Markkanen managers: Hold. Day-to-day with negative X-rays is good news.
Add: Filipowski is the speculative add with the highest upside. Bamba is a short-term streamer for blocks and rebounds.
DFS: Utah's cheap bigs become value plays once the starting lineup is confirmed. Wait for the official lineup before rostering any of them.
Betting angle
The Jazz were already a team the market expected to struggle, and losing Jackson removes their best defender. Utah's defensive numbers are the thing to watch: Jackson's rim protection is difficult to replace, and opposing team totals against the Jazz may need to climb. Markkanen's status is the swing factor game to game.
For Verdexed's game-level view on the Jazz, check /nba/predictions and the nightly NBA picks piece on the blog.
The Memphis side
The win moved the Grizzlies to 4-0, only the second 4-0 start in franchise history, on a night when six Memphis players scored in double figures. Cedric Coward led the way with 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Ty Jerome added 15 points and eight assists despite a 4-of-15 shooting night. Coward's early double-doubles make him one of the more interesting second-year breakouts to watch in fantasy.
Dynasty view
In dynasty leagues, the Jackson injury is a buying window for a patient manager. A non-surgical MCL tear in a player who is still in his prime should not change his long-term value much, and some managers will overreact to a second straight injury-affected season.
What's next
Utah's first game without Jackson will show how the center minutes split. Watch the starting lineup and the first-half rotation; whoever closes games at center will be the add of the week. Jackson's re-evaluation will come in about six weeks, which puts his potential return in early-to-mid December.