Jazz’s Jaren Jackson Jr. to have surgery for growth in knee

Utah Jazz forward Jaren Jackson Jr. will have surgery to remove a growth in his left knee, the team announced Thursday.

Jackson, a two-time All-Star, will miss the remainder of the season, a source told ESPN.

The growth — a pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) — was discovered in an MRI during a physical after he was traded to the Jazz from the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 3.

Jackson, who is averaging 19.4 points and 5.7 rebounds this season, will have the procedure during the All-Star break.

In his first three games with the Jazz, Jackson, 26, averaged 22.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists along with 24 minutes. He earned NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023.

He was acquired by Utah as part of an eight-player deal ahead of the trade deadline, with Memphis receiving three first-round draft picks along with rookie guard Walter Clayton Jr. and forwards Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks and Georges Niang. In addition to Jackson, the Jazz also acquired center Jock Landale and guards John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr. in the deal.

Jackson renegotiated and extended his contract last summer and has four seasons and $205 million remaining on the deal, including a $53.5 million player option for 2029-30.

Utah (18-37) is 13th in the Western Conference standings, eight games back of the final play-in spot.