Kyle Filipowski has been juggling playing two positions with the Jazz, but he’s seeing the silver lining

This season, Kyle Filipowski has benefitted quite a bit with so much of the Utah Jazz’s front court being sidelined by injuries and after season-ending surgeries.

He’s played in more games, played more minutes, started 38 games and been more productive in just about every statistical category. But it’s not been an easy season.

“Kyle is not a five, but Kyle can play five,” Jazz head coach Will Hardy said. “Our fives this season have not been healthy for a lot of the year...it’s forcing Kyle to play more five than would be desirable.”

That’s one of the reasons the Jazz had Oscar Tshiebwe start alongside Filipowski in the second half of the Jazz’s Wednesday night loss to the Denver Nuggets. Hardy wanted to give Filipowski the chance to play at his natural position for at least part of the night.

Playing at the five, Filipowski has to plan for completely different defensive tactics and schemes as well as offensive strategies, but he also be adaptable enough to be able to switch back to playing at the four and knowing all of what’s required of him at that spot too.

Hardy has made it a point to give Filipowski a lot of grace when things haven’t gone well for the second-year forward at different points this season, understanding that the Jazz are asking a lot of the young player.

The acknowledgement of the difficulties he’s faced has meant a lot to Filipowski, and allowed him to feel out both positions with a little more freedom. Now, with only five games left inthe 2025-26 season, Filipowski is able to appreciate the way that switching between positions has fostered growth in his game.

One of the things he’s excited about is how playing more five this season, will allow him to understand and anticipate the needs of players like Walker Kessler and Jaren Jackson Jr. and whoever else might be playing center.

“Just being able to get these reps, get these minutes, it helps with growing and getting that experience and being prepared for the future,” Filipowski said. “It’s a really great opportunity for me, and I’m really grateful for it. I’ll be more prepared coming into the season next year playing alongside those guys.”

On Wednesday night Filipowski finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in the 122-113 loss to Denver. Since the All-Star break Filipowski is averaging 15.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

“Kyle has had, in general, a good last couple of months,” Hardy said. “Kyle has been very coachable, and in no way is that the coaching staff taking credit for his success. He has taken feedback, he’s dug in and done the work in the areas where he needs to improve. And he’s in a good place right now in terms of recognizing when to be aggressive.”