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Jazz F Jaren Jackson Jr. has surgery to remove growth in left knee

Tue Feb 17 5:49pm ET
Field Level Media

Recently acquired Utah Jazz forward Jaren Jackson Jr. had successful surgery on Tuesday to remove a growth in his left knee, the team announced.

The Jazz said Jackson, 26, will begin rehabilitation and be re-evaluated in four weeks. The team's head orthopedic physician, Dr. Travis Maak, performed the procedure in Salt Lake City to remove a localized pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) growth.

The PVNS growth was discovered in a physical exam via an MRI after Utah's eight-player trade on Feb. 3 with the Memphis Grizzlies.

A two-time All-Star, Jackson averaged 22.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in three games (all starts) with the Jazz after contributing 19.2 points and 5.8 boards in 45 games with the Grizzlies.


Drafted by Memphis with the fourth overall pick in 2018, Jackson has career averages of 18.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 455 regular-season games (446 starts). He was an All-Star in 2022-23 and 2024-25.

Jackson was the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2022-23 and is a three-time All-Defensive team selection and two-time league leader in blocked shots. He has three seasons left on a five-year, $205 million contract that also includes a player option for the 2029-30 season.

Player Notes
Kristaps Porzingis Wed Feb 18 7:30am

Golden State Warriors forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) practiced on Tuesday, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. He is also scheduled to take part in a team scrimmage on Wednesday. This suggests Porzingis could be ready to make his team debut on Thursday against his former squad, the Boston Celtics. The Latvian veteran hasn't played since Jan. 7 due to an Achilles issue. He had a decent start to the campaign with the Atlanta Hawks, recording 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game. Gui Santos may find himself on the bench when Porzingis returns, significantly lowering his fantasy appeal.

Ivica Zubac Wed Feb 18 7:30am

Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac (ankle) isn't ready to make his team debut when the season resumes on Thursday, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports. The Croatian big man was a limited participant in Tuesday's practice, and Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said after the session that it will be "a while" before Zubac is ready to play. The Pacers have the fourth-worst record in the league and aren't in a rush to get Zubac back into the lineup. With him out, Jay Huff, Micah Potter, and Kobe Brown share minutes at center.

Stephen Curry Wed Feb 18 7:20am

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (knee) is expected to participate in a team scrimmage on Wednesday, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. The team will then determine his status for Thursday's matchup with the Boston Celtics. Curry has been dealing with runner's knee and sat out the final five games before the All-Star break. Due to the issue, the two-time MVP was also unable to play in the All-Star Game on Sunday. Pat Spencer has been starting at point guard during Curry's absence, averaging 14.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.2 steals over the last five games.

Jaren Jackson Jr. Wed Feb 18 7:10am

Utah Jazz forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove a growth in his left knee. The team plans to re-evaluate him in four weeks to determine his recovery status. Last week, it was reported that Jackson Jr. will miss the rest of the season. After arriving from Memphis in an eight-player trade on Feb. 3, Jackson Jr. suited up for just three games for the Jazz. He averaged 22.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.0 steals. With Jackson Jr. sidelined, Kyle Filipowski, Brice Sensabaugh, and John Konchar are expected to see increased playing time.

Cooper Flagg Wed Feb 18 7:00am

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Cooper Flagg (foot) was spotted wearing a walking boot during the All-Star break, but he has avoided a serious injury. The rookie phenom sustained a left midfoot sprain before the break. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Mavericks are "relieved" that Flagg's injury isn't more serious. "Cooper Flagg was indeed spotted with a boot on his left foot Saturday at Duke's home game against Clemson, but league sources tell The Stein Line that Dallas feels fortunate that last week's MRI results on Flagg only revealed a left midfoot sprain," Stein reported. "It is still not known precisely how long the 19-year-old will be sidelined, but the Mavericks appear relieved that the injury was not more serious." While it's an encouraging update, Flagg might still miss some action when play resumes. Dallas will return to the court on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Orlando Robinson Tue Feb 17 10:10pm

The Orlando Magic released center Orlando Robinson from his two-way contract to create space for wing Alex Morales. Robinson, 25, played in four games this season and averaged 1.8 points and 1.0 rebounds in 6.2 minutes. With Moritz Wagner healthy and Wendell Carter Jr. entrenched as the starter, Robinson faced a limited path to rotation minutes. He is not expected to hold value in standard leagues and will likely return to the G League to continue his development.

Mason Plumlee Tue Feb 17 10:00pm

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, free-agent center Mason Plumlee is signing a 10-day contract with the San Antonio Spurs, his agent Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports told ESPN. The 35-year-old underwent right groin surgery in late December and was waived earlier this month after a trade from Charlotte to Oklahoma City. Plumlee appeared in 14 games with Charlotte this season, averaging 1.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 8.9 minutes. With Victor Wembanyama anchoring the frontcourt and Luke Kornet and Bismack Biyombo in reserve roles, Plumlee profiles as emergency depth. He can remain on waiver wires in standard formats.

Mike Conley Tue Feb 17 10:00pm

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley finalized a deal with the team Tuesday, according to Michael Scotto of USA Today. The 38-year-old has averaged 4.4 points, 1.0 three, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 18.5 minutes over 44 games this season. He is expected to slot into a reserve role behind Donte DiVincenzo, while Ayo Dosunmu continues to handle second-unit playmaking duties. That role caps Conley's fantasy ceiling to deeper formats, with Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle driving the offense.

Alondes Williams Tue Feb 17 12:00pm

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Washington Wizards are signing guard Alondes Williams to a 10-day contract from their Capital City G-League affiliate. The 26-year-old earns a call-up from Capital City after averaging 20.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in the G League, highlighted by four 30-point efforts. With Trae Young (knee) sidelined and the Wizards leaning into youth, Williams will compete with Bub Carrington, Tre Johnson, and Will Riley for backcourt minutes. He is a watchlist name in deeper formats, but immediate standard-league value is unlikely without a clear rotation role.

Tyrese Martin Mon Feb 16 8:50pm

According to Derek Bodner, guard/forward Tyrese Martin is expected to sign a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers once the team converts Jabari Walker to a standard NBA deal. The 26-year-old averaged 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 18.8 minutes across 37 games with the Nets earlier this season before being waived. Martin will fill an open two-way slot but joins a crowded backcourt featuring Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Quentin Grimes. He projects as G League depth and is not a standard-league option barring multiple injuries.

Jeenathan Williams Mon Feb 16 8:00pm

According to Jake Fischer, the Golden State Warriors are signing guard Nate Williams to a two-way contract. The 27-year-old has averaged 17.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in the G League this season and will likely spend most of his time with the affiliate. With Jimmy Butler (knee) out for the season and Stephen Curry (knee) working back from injury, Golden State adds wing insurance. Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski remain the primary beneficiaries for minutes. For now, Williams looks like extra depth for the roster and isn't someone you need to consider in standard fantasy leagues.

Jabari Walker Mon Feb 16 7:40pm

Philadelphia 76ers forward/center Jabari Walker intends to sign a new two-year deal with the team, according to Shams Charania of ESPN, after maxing out his games on a two-way contract. The 23-year-old averaged 3.7 points and 3.1 rebounds in 12.1 minutes across 45 games this season. With Paul George suspended, Walker adds depth but will compete with Dominick Barlow and Trendon Watford for reserve minutes. Barlow is still the better deep-league gamble if the minutes settle in his favor, while Walker feels more like extra depth up front than someone you need to add in standard formats.

Cameron Payne Mon Feb 16 7:30pm

According to Marc Stein, free-agent guard Cameron Payne plans to sign a rest-of-season deal with the Philadelphia 76ers after securing a buyout overseas. The 31-year-old averaged 6.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 15.1 minutes across 72 games with New York in 2024-25 and posted 9.3 points and 3.1 assists in 19.4 minutes over 31 games with Philadelphia in 2023-24. Payne joins a crowded backcourt led by Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, with Quentin Grimes also in the mix. He projects as a deep-league assists streamer and insurance option, but consistent top-150 value remains unlikely barring injuries.

Victor Wembanyama Mon Feb 16 8:40am

San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama delivered 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting with two rebounds in 10 minutes during Team World's 48-45 loss to Team Stripes, finishing the event with 33 total points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and four triples. Managers heading into the fantasy playoffs get a reminder of the ceiling. Wembanyama is averaging 26.6 points and 2.2 blocks over his last five outings, giving him top-tier impact in points, boards, and defensive categories. San Antonio's offense continues to flow through him, limiting high-end scoring upside for De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle.

Kawhi Leonard Mon Feb 16 8:30am

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard poured in 31 points on 11-of-13 shooting, including six triples, with three rebounds and two steals in 12 minutes during Team Stripes' 48-45 win over Team World on Sunday. He totaled 37 points across the event. The exhibition carries no direct fantasy impact, but Leonard enters the stretch run locked in, averaging 29.6 points, 2.2 threes, 8.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.4 steals over his last five games. With James Harden traded and Darius Garland (toe) lacking a clear timetable to return, Leonard's 34.5 percent usage should remain elite, while John Collins and Brook Lopez profile as complementary options.

Anthony Edwards Mon Feb 16 8:20am

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards earned top honors Sunday after leading Team Stars to a 47-21 championship win, scoring eight points with four rebounds and two assists in eight minutes in the final. He piled up 32 points across the event and secured 10 of 14 MVP votes. The All-Star spotlight does not change anything for fantasy managers. Edwards heads into the break in rhythm, averaging 26.4 points, 3.0 threes, 5.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks over his last five games. The offense continues to run through him with a 32.1 percent usage rate, cementing his first-round value. Julius Randle remains the secondary scorer, but this is clearly Edwards' team from a fantasy perspective.

Malik Beasley Mon Feb 16 8:10am

Detroit Pistons guard/forward Malik Beasley signed Friday with the Santurce Crabbers of Puerto Rico's Baloncesto Superior Nacional league, per ESPN's Shams Charania. The 29-year-old averaged 16.3 points last season and shot 41.6 percent from three, drilling 319 triples, a franchise record. With his NBA future tied to an ongoing gambling investigation, this move positions him as out of the 2025-26 fantasy pool for now. In Detroit, Cade Cunningham and Duncan Robinson should continue absorbing perimeter volume, while Ausar Thompson maintains wing minutes without Beasley competing for shots. Beasley was not on the standard-league radar this season and remains off draft boards.

Jalen Brunson Sun Feb 15 9:00am

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and center Karl-Anthony Towns, joined by former Knick Allan Houston, won the 2026 NBA All-Star Shooting Stars event Saturday, outscoring Team Cameron in the final round. The Knicks trio closed with 47 points after posting 31 in the opener to advance. While the exhibition carries no fantasy weight, both stars enter the second half in strong form. Brunson is averaging 26.6 points, 3.0 threes, 4.8 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.0 steals in 36.6 minutes over his last five games, while Towns has posted 19.4 points and 12.4 rebounds in 28.8 minutes. Their usage keeps Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart in complementary roles.

Keshad Johnson Sun Feb 15 8:40am

Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson won the 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday, defeating Carter Bryant in the final round. The second-year forward advanced with 92.8 points in the opening round and sealed the title with 97.4 in the finale, edging Bryant despite a 50-point dunk from his opponent. The trophy boosts Johnson's profile, but his fantasy outlook remains unchanged. He is averaging 3.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 7.6 minutes across 21 games and is not a viable option outside deep formats, with Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins handling steady frontcourt roles.

Damian Lillard Sun Feb 15 8:30am

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (Achilles) captured his third career 3-Point Contest crown Saturday, edging Devin Booker in the final round of the 2026 event. The 35-year-old posted 27 points in the opening round and 29 in the championship heat, drilling seven of his final 10 attempts, including a deep logo make. Lillard remains sidelined while rehabbing a torn left Achilles and is targeting a return for the 2026-27 season. His absence continues to stabilize usage for Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson, keeping both firmly rostered in standard leagues.


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