The Memphis Grizzlies announced that Jaren Jackson Jr., their key big man, requires surgery for a turf toe injury on his right foot. This injury occurred during an unsupervised basketball activity (`a live basketball run offsite`) and was revealed just one day after Jackson Jr. agreed to a significant five-year, $240 million contract extension with the team.
The team stated that the injury was diagnosed after an examination on Monday, leading to the decision for surgery. While a full recovery is anticipated for the 25-year-old player, details regarding his recovery progress and a potential return date will not be available until after the surgery is completed.
This injury represents unfortunate timing for both Jackson and the Grizzlies franchise, both of whom have faced considerable injury setbacks in recent seasons. Although Jackson played 74 games in 2024-25, his second-highest career total, he sustained an ankle injury towards the end of that season. He also missed significant time in the 2023-24 season, a period when the Grizzlies were notably affected by player injuries according to Spotrac`s analysis, which considers player salaries lost due to injury. Previously, in 2020, Jackson tore his meniscus in the NBA bubble, causing him to miss a large portion of the 2020-21 season.
Jackson was coming off what was considered a career-best season, highlighted by him winning the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2023. In the most recent season, he achieved his first All-Star selection, averaging 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game with shooting percentages of 48.8% from the field, 37.5% from three-point range, and 78.1% from the free-throw line.
With Desmond Bane having been traded earlier in the offseason, the Grizzlies organization is in a process of rebuilding around Jackson and Ja Morant. However, Jackson`s injury means he is the third center/forward on the team facing health issues this offseason. Zach Edey recently underwent ankle surgery, and Brandon Clarke is still recovering from a PCL sprain.
Jasper Hawthorne