Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Churns out double-double in loss
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Nurkic ended Tuesday's 140-126 loss to the Lakers with 10 points (4-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals across 29 minutes.
Nurkic did just enough to hit the milestone, recording his fourth double-double of the season. Nurkic's career is taking a positive turn after taking over the starting role in Utah, but it took a season-ending injury from Walker Kessler (shoulder) to give him that opportunity. Although his rebound numbers are solid, Nurkic has scored double-digit totals only five times this season, and it's an area where he could use some serious improvement.
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Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Nearly triple-doubles in loss
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Nurkic accumulated 10 points (4-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-3 FT), 10 rebounds, eight assists, one block and five steals in 28 minutes during Thursday's 132-122 loss to the Hawks.
Nurkic is suddenly running hot for the Jazz after a brutal start to the month. In his last two games, he's averaging 10.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 0.5 blocks and 2.5 steals in 29.5 minutes per contest. His percentages can be shaky, and he's not the most consistent player, but at least for the time being, he belongs in most fantasy lineups.
Nurkic recorded six points (2-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 17 rebounds, four assists, one block and four steals across 33 minutes during Wednesday's 114-103 loss to the Pistons.
Nurkic entered the starting lineup for a third straight game Wednesday, and while he didn't have much of an impact offensively, he lived at the rim. He pulled down a season-high 17 rebounds, including three offensive boards. The 31-year-old also impressed by racking up a team high in steals. Nurkic should remain part of Utah's starting five for the foreseeable future after it was announced earlier Wednesday that Walker Kessler would require season-ending shoulder surgery.
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Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Set for starting role
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Nurkic is expected to occupy a starting role for the foreseeable future due to Walker Kessler's season-ending shoulder surgery.
With Kessler out the past two games awaiting a diagnosis, Nurkic drew starts and averaged 7.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 26.5 minutes. It seems like he'll see minutes in the high-20s to low-30s most nights, though it could be heavily dictated by game flow. Blowout losses, like Sunday's 126-103 defeat at the hands of the Hornets, could lead to fewer minutes for Nurkic. In those cases, more run could be in store for Kyle Filipowski and Taylor Hendricks. It's possible the team also calls up two-way center Oscar Tshiebwe for some spot run. For his career, Nurkic is averaging 11.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.9 steals in 24.3 minutes.
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Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Double-double in start
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Nurkic ended with 11 points (5-12 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists and one block in 31 minutes during Monday's 105-103 win over Boston.
Nurkic recorded his first double-double of the season, including the winning basket with just 0.6 seconds remaining. That makes two consecutive starts for Nurkic, as he slid into the opening unit with Walker Kessler sidelined due to a shoulder concern. There is no clear return timetable for Kessler at this point, making Nurkic a viable short-term addition.
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Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Starting sans Kessler
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Nurkic will start in Sunday's game against the Hornets, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
With Walker Kessler (shoulder) sidelined, Nurkic will get the starting nod against his former team. The veteran big man has received consistent playing time off the bench through five regular-season games, averaging 7.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals across 17.2 minutes per contest.
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Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Available vs. Portland
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Nurkic (hip) is available for Wednesday's game against Portland.
After being considered questionable, Nurkic will play through a hip contusion. The veteran big man has contingent fantasy upside if Walker Kessler were to go down with an injury, but Nurkic is likely to remain stuck in a reserve role for the time being.
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Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Iffy for Wednesday
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Nurkic (hip) is questionable to play in Wednesday's game against the Trail Blazers, Ben Anderson of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.
Nurkic is coming off a solid performance in Monday's game against the Suns. He ripped down 13 rebounds while adding seven points, two assists and two steals. If he can't play, the team will likely lean on Kevin Love and Taylor Hendricks behind Walker Kessler at center.
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Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Pulls down 13 rebounds
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Nurkic recorded seven points (3-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists and two steals across 18 minutes during Monday's 138-134 overtime win over the Suns.
Walker Kessler is essentially locked in as the starter and is seeing 31.7 minutes per contest, leaving 17.6 minutes per game for Nurkic. He has made the most of his backup role, however, posting averages of 6.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals through three games.
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Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Grabs 11 boards off the bench
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Nurkic registered four points (2-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal over 18 minutes during Friday's 105-104 loss to the Kings.
Walker Kessler turned in an odd dud after a great first game, so the team decided to give Nurkic more time on the court. He responded with 11 rebounds in 18 minutes. The veteran is hunting for a place to revive his career, but only an injury will elevate him to a meaningful role. He's trapped behind Kessler and Kyle Filipowski, and is currently fending off Taylor Hendricks for the backup job under the basket.
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Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Slated for reserve role Thursday
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Nurkic isn't in the starting lineup for Thursday's preseason game against Portland.
Nurkic is fresh off an impressive double-double Monday against Dallas but will move to the bench to make room for Walker Kessler, who'll be making his preseason debut after missing time due to a shoulder injury. Despite a strong preseason, Nurkic is slated to be the backup center behind Kessler during the 2025-26 campaign.
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Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Double-doubles in defeat
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Nurkic notched 13 points (4-7 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-4 FT), 15 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block across 24 minutes in Monday's 114-101 preseason loss to the Mavericks.
Nurkic tied the team-high mark in three-pointers and was one of five Jazz players to score in double figures. The veteran big man also led all players in rebounds. After being traded from Charlotte to Utah in June, Nurkic is expected to back up Walker Kessler (shoulder) during the 2025-26 campaign.
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Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Plays well in loss
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Nurkic produced 12 points (5-5 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-3 FT), eight rebounds, seven assists and one steal in 25 minutes of Wednesday's 140-127 preseason loss to Houston.
The Jazz were missing several players, including Walker Kessler (shoulder), Kyle Filipowski (back) and Lauri Markkanen (wrist), all of whom are day-to-day. Nurkic looked sharp Wednesday, and that likely has something to do with the fact that he's coming off a EuroBasket stint. When the Jazz are at full strength, Nurkic projects to be Kessler's primary backup.
The Hornets traded Nurkic to the Jazz on Sunday in exchange for Collin Sexton and a 2031 second-round pick, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
The veteran big man is set to join his third team in two years and is in line to back up Walker Kessler in Utah. Nurkic spent time with Phoenix and Charlotte last season, averaging 8.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists across 20.8 minutes per game in 51 regular-season appearances (32 starts). Nurkic has one year remaining on his current contract and is slated to make $19 million in 2025-26.
Hornets' Jusuf Nurkic: Flirts with double-double in start
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Nurkic ended Sunday's 93-86 loss to Boston with 14 points (6-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-3 FT), nine rebounds, two assists, one block and three steals in 29 minutes.
Nurkic got the starting nod in Sunday's regular-season finale due to Mark Williams (foot) being sidelined, leading all players in rebounds and steals while finishing with a team-high-tying point total and coming up one board shy of a double-double. Nurkic hauled in at least nine rebounds in 19 outings this season, adding 10 or more points in 14 of those contests.
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Hornets' Jusuf Nurkic: In starting lineup
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Nurkic is in the Hornets' starting lineup against the Celtics on Sunday.
With Mark Williams (foot) sidelined, Nurkic will make his ninth start for the Hornets on Sunday (and sixth since the beginning of March). Nurkic has averaged 15.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists over 21.0 minutes per game over his last five outings.
