Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. underwent a surgery after going down with a turf toe injury on Monday, the same day he inked a new max extension with the franchise.
The Grizzlies announced Tuesday night Jackson “sustained a turf toe injury in his right foot” while he was participating in a basketball run away from the team facility.
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On Wednesday, the team announced that Jackson underwent a successful procedure repair the injury and will be reevaluated in 12 weeks. The Grizzlies noted that the center is expected to make a full recovery as they continue to post updates on his status.
Jackson would be available for preseason training if the recovery goes according to plan.
The injury news came about 24 hours after the Grizzlies struck a new five-year, $240 million max extension with Jackson at the start of free agency. Jackson’s new deal comes with a player option for the 2029-30 campaign and will pay him about $48 million a year.
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Jackson has spent his entire career with the Grizzlies. He averaged 22.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game last season while earning his second All-Star nod. He was set to enter the final year of a four-year deal with the Grizzlies this fall, which would have made him a free agent next summer. Now, though, he’s under contract through the end of the decade.
The move was one of several the Grizzlies made Monday. They also inked three-year deals with Santi Aldama and former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome. The Grizzlies went 48-34 last season and made the playoffs through the play-in tournament after splitting with longtime coach Taylor Jenkins, but they fell in the first round. They have since promoted Tuomas Lisalo from his interim post to replace Jenkins.
While Jackson’s injury sounds minor and there is ample time for him to recover, the timing just a day removed from receiving a max contract certainly isn’t great.
