Walker Kessler News, Rumors, Updates - Utah Jazz

Officially out Kessler (foot) has been ruled out for Saturday's game versus the Heat.

Impact Kessler's absence will mark his second straight due to a right foot sprain. Prior to these two absences, the big man had not missed a game since Dec. 11. Luka Samanic entered the rotation with Kessler out of the last game and could be in line to do so again.

MARCH 2 • ROTOWIRE

Draws questionable tag Kessler (foot) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Heat, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact Kessler was ruled out for Thursday's loss to the Magic due to a right foot sprain and missed his first game since Dec. 11. In Kessler's absence, Luka Samanic entered the rotation but didn't make a significant impact.

MARCH 1 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Thursday Kessler (foot) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Magic, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact Kessler was questionable for Thursday's matchup due to a right foot sprain, and he'll be unavailable for the first time since Dec. 11. John Collins, Brice Sensabaugh and Omer Yurtseven are candidates to see an uptick in playing time against Orlando.

FEBRUARY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Thursday's game Kessler is questionable for Thursday's game against the Magic due to a right foot sprain.

Impact Kessler hasn't missed a game since mid-December, but he's dealing with a foot injury after posting a double-double in Tuesday's loss to Atlanta. If he's unavailable against Orlando, John Collins, Taylor Hendricks and Omer Yurtseven could see additional playing time.

FEBRUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Double-double off bench Kessler notched 14 points (6-8 FG, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, two blocks and one steal in 30 minutes off the bench during Tuesday's 124-97 loss to the Hawks.

Impact It's the second-year center's first double-double since New Year's Day and his seventh of the season. Kessler's numbers have been disappointing in 2023-24 and he's taken a back seat in the Jazz frontcourt to John Collins, but the 22-year-old remains a strong rim protector -- he's recorded at least one block in 22 straight games, and he's racked up multiple rejections in nine of the last 11 contests.

FEBRUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Headed to the bench Thursday Kessler will come off the bench for Thursday's game against the Hornets.

Impact Kessler had made his way into the starting unit over Utah's final four games heading into the All-Star break, but he now finds himself back in the second unit. He'll be replaced by Taylor Hendricks in the first unit and his value will dip in the reserve role.

FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Walker Kessler plays for winning Rising Stars team The NBA All-Star Weekend event showcased the league’s top first- and second-year players.

FEBRUARY 17 • AL.COM

Fills stat sheet Monday Kessler notched 11 points (5-7 FG, 1-1 FT), nine rebounds, one assist, four blocks and two steals over 26 minutes during Monday's 129-107 loss to the Warriors.

Impact Kessler was impressive on both ends of the court Monday, missing just two shots from the field and making his presence felt on the defensive end. He's started Utah's last two games since the trade deadline, and all signs point to him staying in that role from now on. He's averaging 9.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game when deployed in a starting role this season.

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Swats four shots in start Kessler chipped in 10 points (4-6 FG, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, two assists, four blocks and two steals in 27 minutes during Thursday's 129-115 loss to the Suns.

Impact Kessler had come off the bench in 20 straight games prior to Thursday, but he moved into the starting lineup versus Phoenix after Utah traded Simone Fontecchio to the Pistons in exchange for Kevin Knox and a 2024 second-round draft pick. Kessler responded with a near double-double and another fine effort defensively, extending his streak of games with three-plus blocks to five contests. It's unclear how the Jazz will shift their lineup after Thursday's roster shakeup -- both Kelly Olynyk and guard Ochai Agbaji also departed, with Kira Lewis and Otto Porter coming to Utah in return -- but there's a decent chance that Kessler will return to the bench, as he's been backing up John Collins (who slid into a forward spot Thursday) at center. Even as a reserve, Kessler is an impactful player in fantasy due to his tantalizing shot-blocking ability.

FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Walker Kessler, Keyonte George find another gear to fuel big comeback win over Bucks Utah's win over Milwaukee was an important one because the second-year big and rookie point guard were the ones to lead the Jazz comeback.

FEBRUARY 5 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Big contributor in comeback win Kessler notched 13 points (5-8 FG, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and three blocks over 27 minutes during Sunday's 123-108 win over Milwaukee.

Impact As usual, John Collins started at center for Utah, but Kessler ended up playing three more minutes. That was largely due to a huge fourth quarter during which the Jazz outscored Milwaukee by 27 points with same five players (Kessler, Jordan Clarkson, Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen and Kelly Olynyk) on the floor for the entire period. Kessler registered nine points during that run, and he finished with his highest scoring total since mid-December. Kessler's shot-blocking ability is what carries his value in fantasy -- he's swatted at least one shot in 14 straight games, with multiple blocks 10 times during that span -- so whatever scoring he does to complement his defensive work is generally icing on the cake for those who roster him.

FEBRUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Limited minutes again Saturday Kessler provided 10 points (5-6 FG), four rebounds and three blocks over 16 minutes during Saturday's 134-122 victory over Charlotte.

Impact Kessler played fewer than 20 minutes for the second straight game, a trend managers will be hoping reverses itself sooner rather than later. After playing at least 25 minutes in four consecutive outings, the rotation in Utah appears to be up in the air from one game to the next. With that said, Kessler remains a hold given his ability to block shots and score on high efficiency.

JANUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Brandon Miller gets poster dunk against Walker Kessler The rookie from Alabama has a highlight play, but the Jazz still defeated the Hornets.

JANUARY 28 • AL.COM

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Impactful Saturday Kessler fouled out of Saturday's 127-126 overtime loss to Houston after recording seven points (2-4 FG, 3-6 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists and five blocks over 32 minutes.

Impact Kessler's block production is establishing a quality fantasy floor, even while seemingly being capped to a 20-to-25 minute role at this time. Saturday marked just his third game since Dec. 21 with double-digit rebounds, however, and his 18.1 percent defensive rebounding rate ranks in just the 52nd percentile among all bigs this season. John Collins logged 20 minutes Saturday, and Kessler is a candidate to eat into his role down the stretch, although coach Will Hardy continuing to dictate his rotation based on the nightly matchup is very plausible.

JANUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Serves up six swats Kessler logged eight points (4-6 FG), eight rebounds, one assist and six blocks across 29 minutes during Wednesday's 154-148 overtime victory over the Pistons.

Impact Kessler blocked six shots in the win, playing at least 29 minutes for just the second time in the past seven games. He continues to come off the bench, a fact that has not been lost on fantasy managers. Despite the frustration, Kessler has still been able to put up borderline top-30 value over that time, thanks primarily to his 7.9 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Shifts to bench Kessler isn't starting Saturday's game against the Heat, radio voice of the Jazz, David Locke, reports.

Impact Kessler entered the starting lineup Thursday against the Pelicans, but he'll return to a bench role Saturday with the Jazz electing to roll with Simone Fontecchio at power forward and John Collins at center. Kessler is averaging 8.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in his last three contests off the bench.

DECEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Moves into starting lineup Kessler will start Thursday's game against the Pelicans.

Impact Kelly Olynyk will move to the bench after starting the last three games for Utah. Kessler has come off the bench 11 times this season, and Thursday's game will mark his 13th start of the campaign. As a starter, Kessler holds averages of 9.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks.

DECEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Makes big impact as starter Kessler chipped in 14 points (6-8 FG, 2-4 FT), 14 rebounds and five blocks over 32 minutes during Monday's 125-108 win over the Nets.

Impact Kessler had started just twice in 10 games since returning from a foot injury Nov. 22 before working with the first unit Monday. The second-year center made a strong case to remain in the first unit, producing his fifth double-double of the season and swatting five shots. Over his past three games as a starter, Kessler has averaged an impactful 10.7 points, 12.0 boards and 5.6 blocks.

DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back with first unit Kessler is starting Monday against the Nets.

Impact Kessler shifted to a bench role for Saturday's matchup against the Kings, but he'll return to the starting lineup Monday night. Kelly Olynyk bumps into a reserve role as a result of this change.

DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Moves to second unit Kessler will move to the bench for Saturday's game against the Kings, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.

Impact The Jazz are missing backup center Omer Yurtseven (illness) in addition to John Collins (illness), while Lauri Markkanen returns from a rest day to pair up with Kelly Olynyk in the frontcourt. Walker is coming off a strong showing against the Trail Blazers on Thursday, as he racked up 10 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, seven blocks and one steal in 26 minutes.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Double-double in Thursday's start Kessler finished with 10 points (5-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 10 rebounds, four assists, seven blocks and one steal across 26 minutes during Thursday's 122-114 win over the Trail Blazers.

Impact The double-double was just his fourth of the season, as Kessler has generally struggled to stay healthy and match his form from his rookie season in 2022-23. The 22-year-old center has remained an elite rim protector however, and since returning from an elbow injury in late November he's recorded multiple blocks in eight of nine games, averaging 9.6 points, 8.7 boards, 3.3 blocks and 1.7 assists over that stretch while shooting 57.7 percent from the floor.

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Moves to starting lineup Kessler is in the starting lineup to face the Trail Blazers on Thursday, Jazz's radio announcer David Locke reports.

Impact Kessler will make just his second start since Nov. 6, a span that included a seven-game absence and a new-found role off the bench. The big man is averaging 8.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game when deployed as a starter this season.

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to face Knicks Kessler (foot) will play in Wednesday's game against the Knicks.

Impact Kessler will return from a one-game absence due to right foot soreness after initially being labeled questionable for Wednesday's tilt. He'll likely return to the starting lineup, a role in which he's averaged 8.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks over 24.8 minutes per contest.

DECEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Upgraded to probable Kessler (foot) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Knicks.

Impact Kessler has been upgraded from questionable to probable and will likely return from a one-game absence due to right foot soreness. He started a Dec. 8 loss to the Clippers, totaling eight points, 12 rebounds, five blocks and two steals, but he had come off the bench in his previous six appearances, averaging 9.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks during that stretch.

DECEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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