Five Utah Jazz Players Expected to Draw Fewer Minutes After the All-Star Break
The Utah Jazz have 26 games left in the 2025-26 season following the All-Star break, setting the stage for what could be a dynamic and telling closing stretch ahead of the offseason.
Across those remaining regular-season contests, the overarching aims are clear: continue developing young talent and protect the Jazz’s top-eight protected draft pick, which is at risk of being claimed by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
With that context, notable rotation shifts are likely. Some players will see more opportunities than in the first half, while others may spend slightly more time on the bench. The potential absence of Jaren Jackson Jr. due to a season-ending injury only intensifies the rotation turnover ahead.
We previously explored the handful of players who could see more minutes down the stretch. But as some players earn increased workloads, others are poised to see their playing time decline as the roster adjusts.
Who might be impacted? Here are five Jazz veterans or contributors who are likely to log fewer minutes after the All-Star break.
1) Jusuf Nurkic
Even before the break, Nurkic’s spot in the lineup was starting to fade as Utah rested him for stretches. In 2026 so far, he’s appeared in only about half of the Jazz’s games due to rest or injury-related factors, and that trend seems likely to continue.
Nurkic has been a bright spot for Utah this season, posting a steady double-double pace with 10.9 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game, plus a career-high 4.8 assists per night. Yet, as Utah prioritizes maximizing their draft position, his minutes could be trimmed more heavily in the final 26 games, even if his recent resurgence has been strong.
2) Lauri Markkanen
Markkanen, having another season of elite production, is also expected to see fewer minutes post-break for similar strategic reasons as Nurkic.
The Jazz drew considerable criticism for resting Markkanen in the fourth quarter of several recent games, and even with the league-imposed $500K fine, Utah may still choose to reduce his late-game and overall workload to protect future assets.
This likely means more full rests or shorter fourth quarters as the regular season winds down.
3) Keyonte George
If a player helps the Jazz exceed expectations and push for more wins, he’s a prime candidate to be managed down the stretch. Keyonte George, the third-year breakout hopeful, has inspired real confidence about his future but is also in line for reduced minutes as the team focuses on development and asset protection.
George has missed multiple games with ankle injuries but could be cleared after the All-Star break. Even if healthy, the NBA’s Player Participation Policy won’t prevent the Jazz from resting George late in the season, particularly as March and April approach.
Don’t be surprised if George’s workload decreases in late-season games.
4) Svi Mykhailiuk
An underrated contributor this season, Mykhailiuk has been a steady part of Will Hardy’s rotation, starting 41 of 56 games and averaging around 23 minutes per night with strong 3-point shooting (nearly 40%). In recent weeks, his rotation role has become more sporadic, including multiple DNPs in 2026 and no starts in the backcourt since late January.
While he isn’t expected to vanish from the rotation entirely, Utah’s push to develop younger talent could shave down Mykhailiuk’s minutes as the season closes. Still, his contributions may help land him a longer-term spot beyond this year.
5) Kevin Love
In his 18th season, Love has served as a reliable backup five, averaging 7.0 points and 5.9 rebounds with decent three-point shooting (36.3%) in about 17 minutes per game. Earlier in the year he played more, but 2026 has seen less time, with Love appearing in roughly 41% of Utah’s games compared to 63% in 2025.
Some of that dip is due to occasional health issues, but it also reflects Utah’s emphasis on giving younger players more exposure down the stretch and giving veterans some rest. Expect Love to remain a valuable locker-room presence and a steady option off the bench, even if his floor time continues to trend down.
Bottom line: as the Jazz chase development and draft-position leverage, a handful of veterans are likely to see reduced minutes in the closing stretch, while several younger players are positioned to seize increased opportunities. The exact balance will hinge on health, lineup chemistry, and how aggressively Utah weighs late-season wins against long-term asset protection. What do you think—will these minutes shifts help Utah build a stronger foundation for next season, or will some of these veterans still prove essential in key moments?
