Kessler recorded nine points (4-11 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, two assists, six blocks and one steal in 28 minutes during Wednesday's 105-91 loss to the Grizzlies.
Kessler continues to come off the bench, something that is likely to change sooner rather than later. Since returning from injury, he has blocked a total of 10 shots in three games, adding a combined 27 rebounds. After a slow start to the season, it appears that Kessler is fully healthy and looking a lot like the player we expected to see coming into the season.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Walker Kessler: Coming off bench Wednesday
Rotowire
Kessler isn't in the starting five for Wednesday's game versus the Grizzlies, David Locke of Utah Jazz radio reports.
Kessler will come off the bench for the third straight contest, with Omer Yurtseven starting at center. Kessler played 26 minutes in his previous appearance and is being ramped up for a full workload.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Walker Kessler: On minutes restriction Monday
Rotowire
Kessler is expected to be available for 21-to-26 minutes Monday against the Pelicans, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Kessler played 21 minutes off the bench in Saturday's win over New Orleans, which marked his return from a seven-game absence to recover from a sprained UCL in his left elbow. Omer Yurtseven will start again Monday, and Kessler should continue ramping up physically while protecting his elbow. That being said, Kessler has yet to settle into a rhythm this season, so Utah incorporating quality play from Yurtseven and Kelly Olynyk could become a center rotation to monitor.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Walker Kessler: Available off bench
Rotowire
Kessler (elbow) will be available off the bench Saturday against the Pelicans, Ben Anderson of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.
Kessler does not have specific restrictions, but coach Will Hardy made it sound like the decision to bring him off the bench was partially to keep his minutes in check. Regardless, Kessler's fantasy managers will be glad to have him back in lineups for his ability to swat shots at an elite level.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Walker Kessler: Expected to play Saturday
Rotowire
Kessler (elbow) is now listed as probable for Saturday's game versus the Pelicans, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Kessler has been upgraded from questionable to probable Saturday after missing the last seven games with a left elbow sprain. The second-year big man will likely replace Kelly Olynyk in the starting five against New Orleans.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Walker Kessler: Questionable for Saturday
Rotowire
Kessler (elbow) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Pelicans, according to Jazz radio host David Locke.
Kessler was cleared for basketball activities Monday, but he wasn't expected to be re-evaluated until after the weekend. If Kessler gets the green light for an early return, he would provide a huge lift to Utah and his fantasy managers. John Collins, Kelly Olynyk and Omer Yurtseven all took on larger roles in Kessler's absence.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Walker Kessler: Cleared for basketball activities
Rotowire
The Jazz announced Monday that Kessler (elbow) has been cleared to begin basketball activities and will be re-evaluated in one week, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
Kessler sprained the UCL in his left elbow during the regular-season opener but tried to play through the pain. He was eventually shut down after making eight appearances and was expected to miss at least two weeks. It appears he'll miss more time than expected, but his return to basketball activities is still a great sign. However, as long as he remains sidelined, Ochai Agbaji, Lauri Markkanen and John Collins should start in Utah's frontcourt, while Kelly Olynyk handles an increased bench role.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Walker Kessler: Out at least two weeks
Rotowire
Kessler will be out for at least two weeks due to a UCL sprain in his left elbow, Sarah Todd of The Deseret News reports.
Kessler suffered his injury in the opening game of the season but has been playing through discomfort. However, the second-year big man will now rest his elbow without contact for at least two weeks in order to get healthy. Kelly Olynyk and Omer Yurtseven are candidates to see increased roles in Kessler's absence.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Walker Kessler: Dealing with elbow sprain
Rotowire
Kessler is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Pacers due to a left elbow sprain, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Kessler had arguably his best all-around game of the season Monday versus the Bulls, posting 15 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks in 31 minutes. However, he's emerged from that contest with an injury. The severity of the elbow sprain is unclear, but if Kessler is unable to suit up Wednesday, Kelly Olynyk, Omer Yurtseven and John Collins could be candidates for increased playing time at center.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Walker Kessler: Looks great against Bulls
Rotowire
Kessler ended with 15 points (5-12 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 4-6 FT), 15 rebounds and four blocks in 31 minutes during Monday's 130-113 loss to the Bulls.
Kessler's start to the 2023-24 season hasn't been ideal by any means, but he was terrific against the Bulls and even connected on another three-pointer, marking his second make of the campaign. His four blocks brought his average up to 2.1 per game, so he's starting to catch up to the pace we saw during his rookie year when he swatted 2.3 per night.
Kessler closed with four points (2-3 FG), four rebounds and three blocks across 22 minutes during Saturday's 123-95 loss to the Timberwolves.
Kessler showed promise as a rookie, averaging 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, but he has regressed drastically in the early stages of his sophomore year. Kessler has acknowledged his struggles after a summer in which he represented Team USA in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, but the reality is that he has been delivering subpar outings every time he steps on the court. Kessler has scored in double digits just once this season and has grabbed 10 or more rebounds just twice across seven contests.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Walker Kessler: Available Thursday
Rotowire
Kessler (elbow) is available for Thursday's game against the Magic, KSL Sports reports.
Kessler was carrying a probable tag prior to this update, as he's dealing with some mild soreness in his elbow. He's off to a slow start this season, compiling averages of 8.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Walker Kessler: Breaks out of early season funk
Rotowire
Kessler contributed 22 points (10-11 FG, 2-3 FT), 13 rebounds and one block across 29 minutes during Monday's 110-102 loss to the Nuggets.
Kessler broke out in a big way Monday, posting his first double-double of the season with uber-efficiency. The 22-year-old averaged just 5.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in Utah's first three games, with his limited production out of the gate perhaps sending fantasy managers into an early panic. Now that Kessler has at least one excellent stat line on his ledger, his managers can breathe a little easier heading into the Jazz's next game Wednesday against the winless Grizzlies.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Walker Kessler: Healthy at World Cup
Rotowire
Kessler (concussion) recorded four points and one rebound in six minutes during USA's 109-81 victory over Greece in the FIBA World Cup on Monday.
Kessler ended the 2022-23 campaign in concussion protocol, but as expected, he's back to full strength this summer. The 2022 No. 22 overall pick has a limited role for USA's World Cup squad, but it's still valuable experience for the 22-year-old heading into Year 2. Kessler exceeded expectations as a rookie, posting 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 23.0 minutes per game across 74 appearances (40 starts) and figures to be Utah's starting center for years to come.
Kessler is entering the league's concussion protocol Monday, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reports.
Kessler exited Sunday's game against the Nets while being evaluated for a concussion, and his diagnosis has been confirmed by the team's medical staff. The Jazz have just four games remaining in the regular season, and it's unclear whether the rookie will be available for any of those matchups, but it's certainly possible he'll be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. If he's unavailable down the stretch, Udoka Azubuike, Kelly Olynyk and Damian Jones are candidates to see increased run.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Walker Kessler: Won't return Sunday
Rotowire
Kessler is being evaluated for a concussion and will not return to Sunday's game against the Nets, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Kessler took a blow to the head and was a bit wobbly as he headed to the locker room, so it's not surprising to see him ruled out for the rest of the game with Utah down by 20 points. He should be considered questionable for Tuesday's matchup with the Lakers, and if he can't give it a go, that would result in more minutes for Kelly Olynyk and Udoka Azubuike.
Kessler recorded 20 points (10-13 FG), 10 rebounds, two assists and three blocks in 34 minutes during Friday's 122-114 loss to the Celtics.
Kessler was incredibly efficient Friday, knocking down 10 of his 13 shot attempts to reach the 20-point mark for the fifth time this season. The rookie center was dominant on the glass, pulling in five offensive rebounds and submitting double-digit rebounds for the third time in his last four appearances. Kessler should continue to see more offensive opportunities for as long as Lauri Markkanen (hand) and Jordan Clarkson (finger) remain out.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Walker Kessler: Ties season high with seven blocks
Rotowire
Kessler finished Monday's 117-103 loss to Phoenix with 18 points (8-10 FG, 2-5 FT), eight rebounds, seven blocks, one assist and one steal over 30 minutes.
Kessler put on a show in the loss, matching his season high in blocks. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact he has blocked at least five shots on 11 occasions throughout his rookie season. As his offensive game continues to develop, Kessler is looking more and more like a potential top-40 player in nine-category leagues with each passing game. Despite averaging only 22.9 minutes per game on the season since he was a bench player until early January, Kessler still ranks as a top-60 player on the campaign.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Walker Kessler: Tallies career-high point total
Rotowire
Kessler ended with 31 points (14-16 FG, 3-6 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 34 minutes during Saturday's 121-113 loss to Sacramento.
The Jazz were without Lauri Markkanen (hand) again for this contest, freeing up more offensive opportunities for Kessler. The latter was unusually prolific with his shot attempts, putting up 16 after averaging just 5.8 field-goal tries over his previous five contests. Kessler had good reason to keep hoisting shots Saturday, as he made 14 of the 16 attempts en route to a career-best point total. The big man is already a valuable fantasy asset due to his work as a rebounder and shot blocker, and if he uses this performance as a springboard to a bigger role on offense, his value could shoot through the roof.
... See More... See Less
Jazz's Walker Kessler: Swats shot to seal win
Rotowire
Kessler racked up 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-5 FT), 14 rebounds, one assist and three blocks over 34 minutes during Saturday's 118-117 win over Boston.
Kessler blocked his third shot of the game in the final moments, denying Grant Williams a potential game-winner. The rookie cemented his role as Utah's starting center back in January, and he's recorded 13 double-doubles since taking over the job permanently. Kessler averages 2.3 blocks per game, good enough for fifth in the league, but he's averaged 2.9 swats per game over 26 games as a starter.
