Jazz's Walker Kessler: Swats three shots in defeat
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Kessler recorded seven points (3-11 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 12 rebounds, three blocks and one assist over 31 minutes during Monday's 111-97 loss to the Bulls.
Kessler led the club in blocks Monday, marking his 36th outing with multiple swats across 52 regular-season appearances. Additionally, the 23-year-old racked up a game-best 12 rebounds, and he has logged double-digit boards in nine of his last 10 appearances. However, the big man struggled from the field, and over his last two games, he has shot 1-for-11 from beyond the arc. Kessler had attempted only six triples on the season before that two-game span.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Returns with big double-double
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Kessler finished with 15 points (6-15 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and 19 rebounds across 31 minutes during Sunday's 128-102 loss to the Timberwolves.
After curiously being unused in Friday's game against Toronto, Kessler made an immediate impact on the glass in his return Sunday while posting his 27th double-double of the season. The 2022 first-rounder should remain an elite source of swats and boards along with a high field-goal percentage for fantasy managers in category-based settings down the stretch, although it's unknown how much the rebuilding Jazz may opt to limit Kessler in the final month of the regular season. Kessler has averaged 12.9 points, 15.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 30.7 minutes while shooting 68.5 percent from the field across his last nine contests.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Starting Sunday vs. Minnesota
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Kessler is in the Jazz's starting five against the Timberwolves on Sunday.
Despite not being on the injury report, Kessler was a healthy scratch for Friday's loss to the Raptors, but he'll reenter the starting five in place of Kyle Filipowski. Kessler has averaged 12.9 points, 14.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.8 blocks over 32.4 minutes per game since the beginning of February.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Sits out Friday
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Kessler (coach's decision) went unused off the bench in Friday's 126-118 loss to the Raptors.
Though the Jazz made Kessler active for the contest, the third-year center unexpectedly ceded his spot in the top unit to Kyle Filipowski after starting in each of his first 50 appearances of the season. Utah ended up choosing to hold Kessler out for the game, and head coach Will Hardy also limited playing time for other key regulars such as Lauri Markkanen (19 minutes) and Collin Sexton (20 minutes). At this point in the season, the 15-52 Jazz have shown no hesitation about putting non-competitive lineups on the floor as they look to improve their odds in the draft lottery, so Kessler could be subject to more absences over the next month even though he's ostensibly healthy.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Not starting vs. Toronto
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Kessler is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against Toronto.
The Jazz didn't rule Kessler out for this contest, but the fact that he won't be starting suggests he might not even see the court at all, as noted by Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune. Kyle Filipowski, who has been one of the best players for Utah in recent weeks, will start at center.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Swats six shots in loss
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Kessler ended Wednesday's 122-115 loss to Memphis with nine points (4-5 FG, 1-2 FT), 14 rebounds, five assists, six blocks and two steals across 29 minutes.
Kessler has been one of the NBA's premier rim protectors this season, as his 2.5 blocks per contest only rank behind Chet Holmgren's 2.7 and Victor Wembanyama's 3.8. Kessler's 12.5 rebounds per game also ranks fifth in the entire league. The 23-year-old big man continues to display impressive efficiency, as he is shooting 72.5 percent from the field in 2024-25.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Not listed on injury report
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Kessler (rest) isn't listed on Utah's injury report for Monday's game against the Celtics.
After resting Sunday, Kessler will return to action for the second half of Utah's back-to-back set. On Friday, the third-year big man posted 18 points, 25 rebounds and eight blocks in 33 minutes during a 118-109 loss in Toronto.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Ruled out for Sunday
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Kessler (rest) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the 76ers.
Kessler is coming off a historic performance in a loss to the Raptors, finishing with 18 points, 25 rebounds and eight blocks. However, he will be resting Sunday, meaning the Jazz will likely have to pivot to Kyle Filipowski to shoulder the load in the paint.
Kessler closed Friday's 118-109 loss to the Raptors with 18 points (8-11 FG, 2-7 FT), 25 rebounds and eight blocks over 33 minutes.
Kessler became only the sixth player in NBA history to record at least 15 points, 25 rebounds and eight blocks in a single game, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elvin Hayes, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal and Dikembe Mutombo in a prestigious list. That doesn't mean Kessler will have a career like theirs, but his impact whenever he's been healthy and available has been massive for this rebuilding Jazz team. Kessler reached the 18-point mark for the seventh time this season, but the 25 boards and eight blocks were career-high marks for him.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Set to play against Toronto
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Kessler (rest) isn't on the injury report for Friday's game versus the Raptors.
Kessler will return to action Friday after sitting out Utah's previous contest for rest purposes. The 23-year-old center should reclaim his starting spot from Kyle Filipowski. Kessler is averaging 13.5 points, 14.4 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 2.1 assists in 32.8 minutes across his last 10 outings.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Won't play against Washington
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Kessler (rest) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Wizards, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
After coming one rebound shy of a double-double in Monday's loss to the Pistons, Kessler will not be available for Wednesday's game in Washington. The Jazz will likely turn to Kyle Filipowski to shoulder the load in the frontcourt.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Available for Monday
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Kessler (rest) will be available for Monday's game against Detroit.
After resting Sunday against the Pelicans on the front end of a back-to-back set, Kessler is likely to be back in the starting lineup Monday. Kyle Filipowski started at center in Kessler's absence Sunday and played well, while Oscar Tshiebwe double-doubled off the bench in 20 minutes.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Resting Sunday
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Kessler won't play Sunday against the Pelicans due to rest.
The Jazz will be either resting or monitoring several regular starters Sunday, and Kessler is one of the players who will sit this upcoming contest. The big man is averaging 12.9 points, 15.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.2 blocks per game since the beginning of February.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Game-winning dunk Friday
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Kessler supplied nine points (4-7 FG, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal across 26 minutes during Friday's 117-116 victory over Minnesota.
Kessler wasn't able to record a second-straight double-double Friday, but his final field goal was the go-ahead dunk that ended up being the winning basket for the Jazz. Most of Kessler's fantasy value comes in rebounding and blocks, but the 2022 first-round pick has had solid scoring games despite a low amount of field-goal attempts, as evidenced by his 25-point performance against the Kings on Wednesday when he converted all 10 of his field-goal attempts. Over his last 10 outings, Kessler has averaged 12.2 points on 71.6 percent shooting, 14.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.0 steals over 33.3 minutes per game.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Big double-double in loss
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Kessler produced 25 points (10-10 FG, 5-7 FT), 14 rebounds, five assists and two steals in 34 minutes during Wednesday's 118-101 loss to the Kings.
While he failed to record a block for the first time in nine February appearances, Kessler made up for it with a new season scoring high and his 24th double-double. On the month, the third-year center is averaging 13.3 points, 15.3 boards, 2.3 assists, 2.2 blocks and 0.9 steals while shooting a dazzling 76.5 percent from the floor.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Available to play
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Kessler (illness) has been upgraded to available for Wednesday's game against the Kings.
Kessler, who was originally questionable, will be returning from a one-game absence. With John Collins (back) and Lauri Markkanen (back) both sidelined, Kessler could see a healthy workload.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Questionable to play Wednesday
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Kessler (illness) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Kings, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Kessler was unable to play in Monday's loss to the Trail Blazers due to an illness, but the third-year center has a chance to return Wednesday. The 2022 first-round pick has averaged 11.9 points, 15.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.5 blocks over 34.1 minutes per game while shooting 72.4 percent from the field since the beginning of February.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Uncertain to play Monday
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Kessler is listed as questionable for Monday's game against Portland due to an illness.
Kessler has hauled in 36 rebounds across the Jazz's two games since the All-Star break, but he's currently battling an illness that puts him in jeopardy of missing Monday's game. Kyle Filipowski would likely be inserted into the starting lineup if Kessler is not cleared to play.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Ruled out for Monday
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Kessler (illness) will not play Monday against the Trail Blazers.
Kessler was unable to shake his questionable tag for this contest, but he's considered day-to-day. His next chance to play comes Wednesday against the Kings. With Lauri Markkanen (back) also out, Kyle Filipowski could have a big opportunity Monday.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Pulls down 19 boards in loss
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Kessler (thumb) tallied four points (2-4 FG, 0-2 FT), 19 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block across 32 minutes in Friday's 130-107 loss to the Thunder.
Kessler was held out for the Jazz's final game of the first half on Feb. 13 versus the Clippers due to a left thumb sprain, but his absence was likely more of a maintenance day in the second leg of a back-to-back set. As expected, the third-year center was back in action after the All-Star break. Though he didn't come close to matching the 15.8 points he averaged over his previous four appearances, he made his presence felt on the boards and contributed in both defensive categories. The Jazz will wrap up another back-to-back set Saturday versus the Rockets, and fantasy managers will want to keep close tabs on his status leading up to the 9:30 p.m. ET tipoff, as Kessler could be a candidate to rest once again.
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