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.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Ruled out for regular season
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Kessler (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports.
Kessler entered the league's concussion protocol Monday and will be unavailable for Utah's final four games of the regular season. The team is still in the mix for a spot in the Play-In Tournament, and it's possible he'll be able to return if the Jazz qualify for the postseason. However, Udoka Azubuike, Kelly Olynyk and Damian Jones will likely see additional work in the frontcourt to close out the regular season.
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.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Won't return Sunday
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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.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Ties season high with seven blocks
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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.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Tallies career-high point total
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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.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Provides pivotal block in win
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Kessler finished Monday's 128-120 win over the Kings with 10 points (4-6 FG, 2-4 FT), eight rebounds, five blocks and two assists in 30 minutes.
Though he didn't see any notable uptick in touches on the offensive end while Lauri Markkanen (back) joined Jordan Clarkson (finger) and Collin Sexton (hamstring) on the sideline Monday, Kessler continued to demonstrate why he's already one of the game's elite rim defenders. For the 10th time this season, the rookie recorded at least five blocks in a game, with his final rejection of the night denying a Domantas Sabonis layup attempt with 1:20 remaining in the fourth quarter that would have cut the Kings' deficit to one. Kessler secured the loose ball and triggered a parade of free throws to help the Jazz put away the Kings.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Swats shot to seal win
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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.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Dazzles in paint Saturday
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Kessler provided 17 points (8-10 FG, 1-2 FT), 16 rebounds, three blocks and one assist across 32 minutes during Saturday's 119-111 victory over the Hornets.
Kessler has now notched seven games with 15-plus rebounds this season. The rookie big man has been on a tear since the All-Star break, averaging 11.9 points (on 77.1 percent shooting from the field), 13.1 rebounds and 4.1 blocks in 31.1 minutes per contest over a stretch of seven games.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Double-doubles in return
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Kessler (illness) ended with 13 points (5-5 FG, 3-3 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists and three blocks across 32 minutes during Thursday's 131-124 victory over the Magic.
Kessler returned from a one-game absence due to a non-COVID illness and picked up right where he left off. He's posted five double-doubles over his past seven appearances and is averaging 10.9 points, 12.9 rebounds and 4.1 blocks in 31.3 minutes during that stretch.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Good to go Thursday
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Kessler (illness) is available for Thursday's game versus the Magic.
Kessler has been upgraded from questionable to available Thursday after missing the previous game with a non-COVID illness. The rookie big man has started in his last 22 appearances, so he should rejoin the starting five against Orlando. Kessler is averaging 11.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 1.1 assists in 28.1 minutes over that span.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Questionable against Orlando
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Kessler (illness) is questionable for Thursday's game versus the Magic, Ben Anderson of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.
Kessler's status remains up in the air, leaving the potential for him to miss his second straight game due to a non-COVID illness. Kelly Olynyk started at center in his absence and would likely get the nod again Thursday if Kessler can't go. If that's the case, his next chance to suit up is Saturday's matchup with Charlotte.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Out Tuesday
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Kessler (illness) will not play during Tuesday's matchup at Dallas, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
A non-COVID illness will force the rookie to miss his first game since Halloween. He's started 22 consecutive contests, averaging 11.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 1.1 assists in 28.2 minutes. His minutes will presumably be filled by Udoka Azubuike and Damian Jones.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Dealing with non-COVID illness
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Kessler is questionable for Tuesday's game in Dallas due to a non-COVID illness, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
The rookie is in danger of missing his first game since Oct. 31. If Kessler is downgraded to out, Udoka Azubuike and Damian Jones would be candidates for increased roles, but Kelly Olynyk would presumably get more run at center as well.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Swats five shots
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Kessler supplied 17 points (8-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds and five blocks in 32 minutes during Sunday's 129-119 loss to the Thunder.
Kessler has been one of the most productive rookies in The Association this season and has been playing at a very high level on both ends of the court, but the defensive aspect of his game has undoubtedly stood out. Aside from recording double-doubles in each of his last three appearances, he has also recorded multiple blocks in eight games in a row and is averaging 9.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game during that eight-game stretch.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Excellent on both ends Friday
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Kessler finished Friday's 130-103 loss to the Thunder with 10 points (5-5 FG), 11 rebounds and four blocks in 25 minutes.
Kessler has been impressive on both ends of the court and remains a valuable presence for the Jazz down low, but he's also been one of the most productive rookies due to his two-way value. The rookie out of Auburn has recorded multiple blocks in seven games in a row, a span in which he's also grabbed double-digit rebounds six times while averaging 8.0 points per game.
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Jazz's Walker Kessler: Game-high 12 boards, five blocks
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Kessler finished with nine points (4-6 FG, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists, five blocks and one steal across 27 minutes during Saturday's 118-102 win over the Spurs.
Kessler was nearly invisible in the first half, scoring four points on 2-of-3 shooting from the floor while adding just two rebounds. He came out strong after the break, however, posting seven boards in the third quarter and four blocks in the final period to help Utah win its second straight game at home. The big man led the contest in both rebounds (12) and blocked shots (five), though he did fail to score in double figures for a second straight game. Kessler is now averaging 14.6 rebounds and 5.0 blocks per game over his last three outings.
Kessler closed with seven points (3-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 0-2 FT), 18 rebounds, one assist and seven blocks across 37 minutes during Thursday's 120-119 overtime win over the Thunder.
Kessler got off only four shots in the contest, making three of them for seven points. The big man was an absolute force on the glass, however, racking up a game-high 18 rebounds, 12 of which came in the second half to help Utah pull out the win. Kessler also blocked a shot from Isaiah Joe with less than a second left in the fourth quarter to push the game into overtime. He's now grabbed 10 or more rebounds in three of his last four games, though he's also failed to score in double figures three times over that stretch.
Kessler notched 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-3 FT), 14 rebounds and three blocks over 33 minutes during Wednesday's 117-111 loss to the Grizzlies.
With Lauri Markkanen (knee) out and Collin Sexton (hamstring) leaving early, Kessler's performance could be viewed as a disappointment. But he still produced more points, rebounds and blocks than his season averages. The rookie center has been an excellent option for blocks and rebounds this season, but averaging under 10 points per game limits his value. Kessler has put up 20 points in just three games this season.
