Season-ending injury! Williams diagnosed with left ACL tear; Jazz coach displeased with Eason's play

On February 25th Beijing time, according to reporter Shams, after thorough medical checks, Jazz guard Vince Williams was confirmed to have a left ACL tear. This injury sidelines him for the 2025-26 season, and considering usual rehabilitation periods, he will probably be unavailable for the majority of the 2026-27 season as well.

During Tuesday’s loss to the Rockets, Vince Williams had to be helped off the court due to injury. Salt Lake Tribune reporter Sarah Todd learned from multiple sources that the Jazz guard likely suffered a severe left ACL injury. Todd reported that Williams left the arena on crutches and will undergo an MRI scan in Salt Lake City. The scan has now confirmed the serious nature of the injury.

Jazz head coach Will Hardy said after the game, "The situation doesn’t look good, we will schedule an MRI."

The injury happened during a Rockets fast break while Williams was retreating on defense: after a collision with Tari Eason, he lost balance and his left knee unnaturally bent inward.

Todd added that Hardy was very upset about the collision not being called a foul: "That’s not a basketball move."

It was reported that Eason approached Williams after the game to offer his condolences and stated he did not intend to cause injury.

Williams was the 47th overall pick in the 2022 draft and only recently joined the Jazz earlier this month through a trade involving Jaren Jackson Jr. He played 5 games for the Jazz, averaging 5.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 15.2 minutes per game. Previously, he appeared in 34 games for the Grizzlies, averaging 8.0 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.0 rebounds in 21.6 minutes.

This is his fourth NBA season. His salary this year is $2.3 million, and the Jazz hold a $2.5 million team option for him in the 2026-27 season.