Kyle Filipowski Can be an X-Factor for Utah if Healthy

Utah Jazz big man Kyle Filipowski could earn a bigger frontcourt role with Jusuf Nurkic out for at least four weeks. Whether he can seize his opportunity depends on how soon his back lets him get back on the court.

With Jusuf Nurkic sidelined for at least four weeks with his toe injury, the Jazz suddenly have room in their frontcourt rotation. On paper, Filipowski has a good chance to claim those minutes, but he has spent the preseason rehabbing his back.

Filipowski, 6-foot-11 and 22 years old, has missed both of the Jazz's first two preseason games with a lower-back injury.

Coach Will Hardy said on Saturday that Filipowski still isn't doing any on-court work, and the Jazz have not given the media a timeline for his return.

Filipowski's back has been a recurring issue dating back to last season. He missed the last two games of the 2025-26 season due to lower-back injury management. He also had surgery over the summer to treat a herniated disc.

Filipowski is optimistic about his health at media day. 

“I’m back to normal and better than where I was last year,” Filipowski said. “The time to do the surgery was after the season, and I’ve been working hard all summer to get back and better.”

Filipowski played in 77 games last season and averaged 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

After the All-Star break, his averages rose to 15.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 26.5 minutes. After coming off the bench for most of the first half of the season, the season concluded with Filipowski receiving some starts.

With the addition of Jaren Jackson Jr. and the re-signing of Nurkic, many analysts in the preseason thought Filipowski would settle back into his bench role.

With Nurkic down at least until early November, Filipowski will have to earn his opportunity. The Jazz now have Jackson, Jaxson Hayes and Mo Bamba on the roster. Hayes has shown promise playing alongside Jackson in the second preseason game against Denver. Hayes and Nurkic also combined for eight assists in the opener.

What Hayes can't do is stretch the floor like Filipowski can. Bamba can stretch the floor decently, but does not offer the playmaking value Filipowski does.

Filipowski acts as an elite backup big who can play meaningful minutes. He can rebound well and offer playmaking upside.

Although he shot 32.5% from behind the arc last season, even a moderate bump gives him more reason to play.

It all boils down to his back, and the only thing the Jazz can do is practice patience. Filipowski hasn't logged any minutes in the preseason thus far.

Utah plays its last preseason game on Oct. 16. He will have a role on the team, but what and when remain the question. If he starts doing on-court work soon, Filipowski could find himself back in the mix.