The Memphis Grizzlies may already have reason for buyer’s remorse with Jaren Jackson Jr.
Memphis announced Tuesday that their All-Star big man Jackson suffered a turf toe injury in his right foot “while participating in a live basketball run offsite.” Expert evaluation has determined that Jackson will need to have surgery to repair the injury.
The @memgrizz today announced the following medical update for Jaren Jackson Jr. pic.twitter.com/Y8RkcanXmm
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) July 2, 2025
The timing of the news is certainly unfortunate as Jackson just agreed to a staggering five-year max extension with the Grizzlies a day earlier. The release does note though that Jackson underwent medical evaluation “yesterday,” so it is possible that his injury actually predated the extension agreement.
In any case though, that is not the way the Grizzlies wanted to kick off their new extension period with Jackson. The former Defensive Player of the Year Jackson has had some durability issues in the past too and missed the beginning of the 2022-23 season after having surgery to repair a stress fracture in that same right foot.
Memphis did mention that Jackson, who was their No. 4 overall pick in 2018 and has been with them ever since, is expected to make a full recovery. Training camp does not even begin for another three months or so either (around the end of September).
But the problems are quickly piling up for the Grizzlies, even in spite of it being the NBA offseason. Jackson’s frontcourt partner Zach Edey is also currently dealing with a foot injury and will probably miss the start of the 2025-26 campaign as a result.
