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NBA Notes: Jazz, Jusuf Nurkic, Kings, Bucks, Kasparas Jakucionis

The Jazz will have to open the season without Jusuf Nurkic, leaving coach Will Hardy with an early decision in the middle. Nurkic will miss at least four weeks with a partial plantar plate tear in the second toe of…

By Hoops Wire · Yard Barker

Published: Thursday, 8 October 2026 at 3:24 AM

Key Things to Know

Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic will miss at least four weeks with a partial plantar plate tear.
Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jaxson Hayes are Utah's leading options to replace Nurkic in the starting lineup.
Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie emphasized improving 3-point contest efforts after allowing 20 3-pointers against the Lakers.

The Story in 60 Seconds

The Utah Jazz will begin their season without center Jusuf Nurkic, who will miss at least four weeks due to a partial plantar plate tear in his right foot. Head coach Will Hardy faces rotation adjustments, with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jaxson Hayes emerging as the primary options to fill the starting role.

Elsewhere around the league, Kings coach Doug Christie is addressing perimeter defense after Sacramento allowed 20 3-pointers to the Lakers. Meanwhile, Bucks coach Taylor Jenkins plans to explore Milwaukee's roster depth during the preseason, offering potential opportunities for Kasparas Jakucionis, Ousmane Dieng, and Bogoljub Markovic.

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NBA Notes: Jazz, Jusuf Nurkic, Kings, Bucks, Kasparas Jakucionis

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