Jazz's Walker Kessler: Efficient in limited run Monday
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Kessler finished with 10 points (5-6 FG, 0-1 FT), seven rebounds, one block and one steal in 23 minutes during Monday's 144-107 loss to the Clippers.
Kessler was efficient across only 23 minutes during the blowout loss, in which he played 25 or fewer minutes for just the third time through 19 regular-season appearances. The big man has been productive on both ends of the floor while stuffing the stat sheet in his last 10 outings, during which he has averaged 12.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 1.8 assists while shooting 75.7 percent from the field across 31.5 minutes per contest.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Pulls down 14 rebounds
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Kessler posted eight points (4-5 FG), 14 rebounds, two assists and four blocks in 32 minutes during Sunday's 141-97 loss to the Kings.
Kessler couldn't complete a double-double since he didn't have a lot of touches on offense, but he made the most of his opportunities while making all but one of his field goals. Kessler also grabbed double-digit rebounds for the sixth game in a row. He's averaging 14.2 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game in that span.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Excellent two-way display
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Kessler amassed 13 points (5-8 FG, 3-4 FT), 17 rebounds, two assists and five blocks over 31 minutes during Friday's 141-99 win over the Trail Blazers.
Kessler recorded his fifth straight double-double Friday, but there's a strong argument to assess this performance as his best outing in the entire campaign. The big man notched a season-high mark in rebounds and also tied his season-best output in blocks, as this was the fourth time he rejected five shots. Kessler, who has six double-doubles in seven games since returning from a six-game absence due to a hip injury in mid-November, should remain a valuable fantasy option for fantasy managers across all formats, particularly at a position that isn't loaded with talent outside of the top-tier options.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Posts double-double
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Kessler accumulated 17 points (6-7 FG, 5-8 FT), 11 rebounds and two blocks over 36 minutes during Tuesday's 133-106 loss to the Thunder.
Kessler was extremely efficient on both ends of the court despite the blowout loss, missing just one of his shots from the field and recording his fourth straight double-double. It was also his fifth double-double across his last six outings since returning from a hip injury that sidelined him for six contests. Kessler averaged 13.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game over that six-game stretch.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Fills stat sheet Saturday
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Kessler posted 18 points (7-9 FG, 4-5 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist, five blocks and three steals over 30 minutes during Saturday's 106-94 loss to Dallas.
The Jazz came up short against the Mavericks, but Kessler delivered one of his best fantasy performances of the campaign. This was his third double-double in four games since returning from a six-game absence due to a hip injury. Furthermore, Kessler now has seven double-doubles in 13 games while recording multiple blocks in all but two of those 13 appearances.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Records double-double in defeat
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Kessler ended with 16 points (8-10 FG, 0-2 FT), 12 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and one steal in 31 minutes during Wednesday's 122-103 loss to the Nuggets.
Kessler's result was impressive considering the opponent. Contending with Nikola Jokic for boards is no easy feat, but Kessler actually recorded more rebounds than the three-time MVP in the loss. Since his return to action after a six-game absence, Kessler has recorded two double-doubles over three games.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Strong showing in return
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Kessler (hip) logged 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds, three blocks and two assists across 35 minutes during Saturday's 121-106 win over the Knicks.
Kessler re-entered the starting lineup at center upon his return from right hip bursitis, and he didn't waste any time getting involved on the glass and as a scorer. He posted his fifth double-double in 10 appearances this season and put the cherry on top of his stellar night by recording a team-high block total. It's also worth noting that Kessler logged 35 minutes, so he doesn't appear to be on any type of playing-time restriction following a six-game absence.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Good to go Saturday
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Kessler (hip) will play in Saturday's game against the Knicks.
Kessler will make his return from a six-game absence Saturday after dealing with right hip bursitis. Before the injury, Kessler appeared in nine games and averaged 9.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.8 blocks across 26.4 minutes.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Questionable for Saturday
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Kessler (hip) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Knicks.
Kessler has missed Utah's last six games with right hip bursitis, and the upgrade to questionable represents a step in the right direction. A decision on the big man's status will be made closer to the 5 p.m. ET tipoff Saturday. If he's out, John Collins should continue to start at center.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Will remain out for Tuesday
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Kessler (hip) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Lakers, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Kessler hasn't taken the floor since Nov. 9 due to right hip bursitis. His next chance at a return will arrive Thursday against the Spurs, though he'd likely need to ramp up his activity quickly to have a chance to play.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Ruled out for Tuesday
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Kessler won't play Tuesday against the Suns due to right hip soreness.
Kessler will miss his first game of the campaign Tuesday. Until he popped up on the injury report Tuesday, the Jazz had provided no indication that Kessler was bothered by the hip issue, so fantasy managers should operate under the assumption that he's day-to-day until further information is provided. With Kessler out of the lineup Tuesday, John Collins and Drew Eubanks will likely absorb all of the minutes at center.
Kessler finished with 12 points (6-7 FG, 0-2 FT), 16 rebounds, two assists and four blocks in 32 minutes during Monday's 135-126 victory over the Bulls.
The 16 boards were Kessler's career high, surpassing the mark of 15 he set last season -- ironically, also in Chicago in November. After struggling with consistency through Utah's first four games, Kessler has found his groove with back-to-back double-doubles, totaling 30 points, 30 rebounds, nine blocks and two assists while missing just two shots from the field. Kessler's numbers could take a hit when Lauri Markkanen (back) returns, but fantasy managers are getting what they wanted out of Kessler as a whole thus far if they drafted him in season-long formats.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Efficient double-double
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Kessler produced 18 points (5-6 FG, 8-12 FT), 14 rebounds and five blocks across 29 minutes during Saturday's 129-103 loss to the Nuggets.
Kessler notched his third double-double of the season and delivered an efficient showing from the field. Even though fantasy managers could use a bit more consistency from Kessler's scoring numbers on a game-to-game basis, the third-year big man has started the campaign on a strong note. Kessler is averaging 9.7 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per contest while recording three double-doubles across six contests.
Kessler finished with 12 points (6-11 FG, 0-2 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two steals over 30 minutes during Monday's 110-102 loss to the Mavericks.
Kessler was limited to just two points in the blowout loss to the Warriors on Oct. 25, but other than that, the big man has been excellent to start the season, posting two double-doubles in three starts. He remains an impactful player on defense as well, racking up eight blocks and three steals in those three contests.
Kessler had 16 points (6-7 FG, 4-5 FT), 14 rebounds, one assist, five blocks and one steal over 30 minutes during Wednesday's 126-124 loss to the Grizzlies.
Kessler was extremely efficient Wednesday and delivered a strong effort on both ends of the court, though his 14 boards and five blocks certainly stood out. He looked dominant regardless of whether he was matched against Zach Edey or Jay Huff. Kessler should be a regular double-double threat as long as he remains the starting center for the Jazz. All signs point to that being the case.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Team option exercised
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The Jazz exercised the fourth-year rookie scale option on Kessler's contract Monday.
Kessler is now under contract through the 2025-26 season. After starting 40 games as a rookie, the big man made only 22 starts last year. He operated as a starter during the preseason, so an expanded role in Year 3 is possible, though it remains unclear if coach Will Hardy will let Kessler play 25-plus minutes a night consistently.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Starting vs. Houston
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Kessler is in the starting lineup for Monday's preseason game against the Rockets, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Kessler drew the start in Utah's preseason opener against the New Zealand Breakers on Friday, and the 23-year-old will do so again Monday. He'll join Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen and Taylor Hendricks in the Jazz's starting five, with John Collins presumably coming off the bench.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Won't play Tuesday
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Kessler (rest) will not play in Tuesday's Salt Lake City Summer League matchup versus the Thunder, Sarah Todd of The Deseret News reports.
Kessler tallied 10 points, six rebounds, a game-high five blocks, two assists and two steals in Monday's Summer League win over the Grizzlies. However, the third-year big man will sit out of Tuesday's matchup, allowing the Jazz to get a better look at their rookie class of Cody Williams, Isaiah Collier and Kyle Filipowski. Kessler's next chance to play will come Wednesday against the 76ers.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Ruled out for Sunday
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Kessler (nose) will not play Sunday against the Warriors.
Kessler will end up missing the final six games of the campaign. After a breakout rookie season in 2022-23, Kessler couldn't really build on that momentum in 2023-24. He finished the season with averages of 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 23.3 minutes across 64 appearances.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Won't play Friday
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Kessler (nose) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Clippers, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Kessler continues to deal with a nasal fracture and will be unavailable for a fifth consecutive matchup. His final chance to return during the regular season will be Sunday against Golden State.
