Kyle Filipowski is day-to-day with a back and torso issue and will not play in Sunday's preseason opener against the Nuggets. Utah opens its preseason slate at Denver without its starting center.
What happened
Kyle Filipowski was listed as day-to-day on the Sunday, Oct. 4, 6:11 p.m. ET injury report with a back and torso issue. A previous status is not announced. Shreyas Laddha of The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Filipowski is out for Sunday's preseason opener against the Nuggets because of a lower back issue. The report lists an expected return date of Oct. 6.
What it means for the Jazz
Utah opens its preseason schedule Sunday at 7 p.m. ET at the Nuggets, airing on NBA TV, without its starting center. Filipowski averaged 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 23.4 minutes across 77 games last season. With him out, center minutes go to Walker Kessler, who has logged 30.8 minutes and 14.4 points in games without Filipowski, and Jusuf Nurkic, at 26.4 minutes and 10.9 points. Lauri Markkanen (34.3 minutes, 26.7 points) and Keyonte George (33.1 minutes, 23.6 points) have also carried extra load. The 2026-27 regular season has not started, so there is no record with or without him yet.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Filipowski's back has improved. His expected return is listed as Oct. 6. Utah continues its preseason schedule in the days after the opener against Denver. He shares this report with teammates Josh Green (knee), Brice Sensabaugh (hip) and Trey Alexander (ribs), all also day-to-day.
Is Kyle Filipowski playing vs the Nuggets?
No. He is out for Sunday's preseason opener against the Nuggets with a lower back issue, per Shreyas Laddha of The Salt Lake Tribune.
When will Kyle Filipowski be back?
His expected return is listed as Oct. 6.