Kessler will undergo left shoulder surgery to address a torn labrum and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports.
This is a devastating blow for the Jazz and for Kessler's fantasy managers, given his high price in drafts. Kessler made just five appearances before his season was abruptly ended, finishing with averages of 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals. With Kessler sidelined the remainder of the campaign, Jusuf Nurkic is likely to step into a full-time starting role. However, the Jazz could also utilize smaller lineups, and guys like Kyle Filipowski and Taylor Hendricks could see increased run.
Kessler (shoulder) did not travel with the team to Charlotte and is undergoing further testing.
Kessler was already set to miss his first game of the season Sunday and now appears at risk of missing the remainder of Utah's four-game road trip after staying behind to treat a left shoulder injury. Jusuf Nurkic is expected to start in his place Sunday and should handle the bulk of the center minutes for as long as the Auburn product is sidelined.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Won't play Sunday
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Kessler has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Hornets due to shoulder bursitis, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Kessler will miss the front end of Utah's back-to-back set due to the shoulder issue, and his next chance to suit up will come Monday against the Celtics. With the big man sidelined, Kyle Filipowski, Jusuf Nurkic and Taylor Hendricks are candidates for increased minutes.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Second straight double-double
Rotowire
Kessler supplied 18 points (7-12 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 1-3 FT), 12 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 32 minutes during Wednesday's 136-134 loss to the Trail Blazers.
After getting stuck at exactly nine rebounds in each of the first two games of the season, Kessler has two straight double-doubles while doing his usual job of protecting the rim. The fourth-year center is averaging 17.0 points, 10.3 boards, 3.5 assists, 2.3 blocks, 1.5 steals and a surprising 1.5 threes on 75.0 percent shooting (6-for-8) from beyond the arc.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Back on track in win
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Kessler closed Monday's 138-134 overtime victory over the Suns with 25 points (9-12 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 6-7 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in 35 minutes.
Kessler bounced back after a subpar showing during Friday's loss to the Kings, recording his first double-double of the season Monday. He also blocked four shots for the second time this season. Kessler is averaging 16.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals, 2.7 blocks and 1.0 three-pointers per game through three games.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Does it all in blowout win
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Kessler supplied 22 points (7-7 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 6-8 FT), nine rebounds, four assists, four blocks and two steals across 29 minutes during Wednesday's 129-108 victory over the Clippers.
Shooting 100 percent from the field, Kessler looked the part of an elite big man in the Jazz's opener. He led all scorers on the night with 22 points while adding a strong defensive showing. Kessler's growth as a shooter was on display by draining both three point tries -- he made only six total last season. The third-year center finished a rebound shy of a double-double but saw only three quarters of action with the game in hand entering the fourth.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Stuffs stat sheet in opener
Rotowire
Kessler generated 22 points (7-7 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 6-8 FT), nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and four blocks during Wednesday's 129-108 win over the Clippers.
Kessler logged just seven field-goal attempts in the win, yet he wound up leading Utah in points after knocking down all seven looks. The 24-year-old center shot just 17.6 percent from three-point range last season, but he knocked down both of his looks from distance Wednesday. Kessler made multiple threes just once in 58 regular-season contests in 2024-25. Beyond his excellent shooting performance, Kessler fell one rebound shy of a double-double, and he doled out four assists -- something he did merely eight times last season.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Flirts with triple-double
Rotowire
Kessler finished with 14 points (6-9 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds, eight assists, two steals and two blocks across 26 minutes during Thursday's 132-129 preseason win over the Trail Blazers.
Kessler turned in a strong effort on the offensive end, reaching double figures with ease while grabbing half of his rebounds on the offensive glass. He was nearly as productive defensively, swatting away a team-high two blocks and accounting for two of nine Utah steals. Kessler's solid performance across the board was a reassuring sight for the Jazz after Kessler sat out most of training camp due to a shoulder injury.
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