Utah Jazz forward Jaren Jackson Jr. will undergo season-ending surgery to remove a growth from his left knee, the team announced Thursday. The two-time All-Star, acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies in a blockbuster trade at the deadline, will miss the remainder of the season after doctors discovered a pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) during a post-trade physical.

Jackson, 26, has been impressive in his brief Jazz tenure, averaging 22.3 points in three games while playing limited minutes due to medical concerns. The growth, while not currently causing pain, requires removal to prevent expansion. The surgery will take place during the All-Star break, with Jackson expected to be cleared well before next season's training camp.

This setback adds another layer of complexity to Utah's season, as the Jazz currently sit 13th in the Western Conference standings, eight games out of the play-in picture. Jackson's four-year, $205 million contract extension makes this injury particularly significant for the franchise's future plans. The defensive standout's absence removes a key piece from Utah's core, though his expected full recovery before next season provides some optimism for the organization.