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Why Darryn Peterson asked out late in Jazz loss to Houston — and his status moving forward

The rookie left Friday’s loss to Houston late in the game with discomfort in his left knee but isn’t expected to miss time.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy chats with Utah Jazz guard Darryn Peterson (22) during an NBA preseason game between the Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy chats with Utah Jazz guard Darryn Peterson (22) during an NBA preseason game between the Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026.

You can exhale, Jazz fans.

Darryn Peterson is all right.

With less than a minute remaining in Utah’s 125-118 loss to the Rockets on Friday, Peterson asked to be subbed out because his left knee was bothering him, a source confirmed to The Salt Lake Tribune.

Peterson didn’t return.

It was an odd look — especially after Peterson dealt with recurring injuries during his lone collegiate season — but it’s not expected to be a long-term issue.

Peterson is not on the Jazz injury report for Utah’s game against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.

“It’s fine. Just got to shootaround, feeling good. Playing tomorrow. It was bothering me for a little bit, but I’m fine,” Peterson said Saturday.

Peterson said he didn’t know exactly when it happened, but his knee was “bugging him” in the game.

Peterson dealt with cramping and other lingering issues during his freshman season at Kansas, but he has yet to miss a game in the NBA.

Peterson’s status is good news for the Jazz in an already rough injury season — especially because the rookie has caught fire lately.

He’s averaging 24.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists over his last five games, scoring at least 20 points in each.

“I’m starting to continue to find the shots that I like,” he said. “Good shots. Coaches are encouraging as well, and so it’s a bit of my threes [that] I think I’m starting to find and get into rhythm with.

“Off the dribble and off the catch. Yeah, just playing super aggressive and free. I think that’s been beneficial.”

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