Although Jackson was under contract to the Knicks as a player in their 1969–70 championship season, he did not play that season as he was recovering from spinal fusion surgery.
Aínda que Jackson estaba baixo contrato cos Knicks como xogador na tempada do campionato de 1969-70, non xogou ese ano por mor de estarse a recuperar dunha cirurxía de fusión espinal.