Jusuf Nurkic To Miss At Least Four Weeks With Toe Injury

Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic is expected to be sidelined for at least four weeks after suffering a partial plantar plate tear of the second toe in his right foot, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes. Nurkic played 11 minutes in Utah's preseason opener on Sunday before missing Monday's practice and sitting out Tuesday's contest.

In Nurkic's absence, free-agent signing Jaxson Hayes started at center and could serve as the primary replacement alongside Jaren Jackson Jr., Kyle Filipowski, and Mo Bamba. Nurkic, who agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract in late June, averaged 10.9 points and 10.4 rebounds across 41 games for Utah last season.