32Breakdown
Performance
NewsPowered by
Powered by
February 13, 2026
Won't start Thursday
Nurkic isn't in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Trail Blazers.
Analysis
Nurkic will be available for Thursday's matchup, but the fact that he's not listed in the starting lineup is likely a sign that he won't see much if any playing time. Instead, it'll be up to Kyle Filipowski and Kevin Love to eat up minutes at center.
February 12, 2026
Productive ways continue
Nurkic finished with eight points (4-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt), nine rebounds, four assists and one steal in 26 minutes during Wednesday's 121-93 victory over Sacramento.
Analysis
Utah's intentions when it comes to how much Nurkic will play down the stretch remain unclear, but what's certain is that the veteran center is producing at a high level when available. Nurkic has averaged 14.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.1 three-pointers in 29.4 minutes per contest in his last 16 games, shooting 47.2 percent from long range during this period.
February 8, 2026
Back in lineup Saturday
Nurkic contributed three points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 14 rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal in 24 minutes during Saturday's 120-117 loss to the Magic.
Analysis
Nurkic returned from a two-game absence due to illness/rest, moving straight into the starting lineup alongside the newly acquired Jaren Jackson. Utah opted to run with a sizeable lineup, an encouraging sign for anyone rostering Nurkic. With that said, we have already started to see some questionable absences, a situation that could get worse as the season progresses. For now, managers will have to hold Nurkic or try to pass him off while he is still relatively active.
February 7, 2026
Starting Saturday
Nurkic is part of the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Magic, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Analysis
Nurkic, surprisingly, will be part of a jumbo lineup that includes Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson. Nurkic had been a DNP-CD in back-to-back games, and the expectation was that Utah would opt for Nurkic to come off the bench while Jackson manned the center spot. However, it looks like Nurkic could remain in a significant role even with Jackson on the roster. In 38 regular-season appearances thus far, Nurkic is averaging 11.2 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists across 26.6 minutes.
