Walker Kessler News, Rumors, Updates - Los Angeles Lakers

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.

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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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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

Questionable for Wednesday Kessler (foot) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Knicks, Ben Anderson of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.

Impact Kessler missed Monday's game against the Thunder with foot soreness, but the issue is believed to be mild and he's considered day-to-day. John Collins (illness) and Lauri Markkanen (hamstring) are also considered questionable for the Jazz, so they may need guys like Kelly Olynyk and Simone Fontecchio to step up if they are shorthanded.

DECEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with foot injury Kessler has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Thunder due to right foot soreness.

Impact Kessler had returned to the starting lineup in Friday's game against the Clippers after coming off the bench for six straight games following his return from an elbow injury, but he will face another setback in the form of a foot injury. Omer Yurtseven and Kelly Olynyk will likely see significant minutes in Kessler's absence.

DECEMBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs 12 rebounds in loss Kessler ended with eight points (4-9 FG), 12 rebounds, three assists, four blocks and two steals over 31 minutes during Friday's 117-103 loss to the Clippers.

Impact Kessler woke up with a double-digit scoring total after failing to hit that milestone for five straight games. During his starting tenure to begin the season, Kessler delivered with solid rebound numbers in the starting lineup, and playing with the first unit will help Kessler's fantasy value if he continues to get the nod over Omer Yurtseven and Kelly Olynyk.

DECEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs 12 rebounds in loss Kessler ended with eight points (4-9 FG), 12 rebounds, three assists, four blocks and two steals over 31 minutes during Friday's 117-103 loss to the Clippers.

DECEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Moves into starting lineup Kessler will move into the starting lineup Friday against the Clippers, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact Kessler has come off the bench in his last six games, although his minutes have been higher than previous starter Omer Yurtseven. Kessler is coming off a quiet game against Dallas on Wednesday in which he was held to six points, eight rebounds and one steal, but perhaps a move back into the first unit will help him get it going.

DECEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Secures eight rebounds Kessler recorded six points (3-7 FG), eight rebounds and one steal across 27 minutes during Wednesday's 147-97 loss to the Mavericks.

Impact Kessler came off the bench for a sixth consecutive game Wednesday and was held to a single-digit scoring total for the third time in his last four appearances, but he remained consistent on the boards. Despite operating as a reserve since returning from a seven-game absence, Kessler has been more productive than he was as a starter, as he's averaged 9.8 points and 8.0 rebounds in 25.7 minutes per game over his last six appearances.

DECEMBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Blocks six shots Wednesday Kessler recorded nine points (4-11 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, two assists, six blocks and one steal in 28 minutes during Wednesday's 105-91 loss to the Grizzlies.

Impact Kessler continues to come off the bench, something that is likely to change sooner rather than later. Since returning from injury, He has blocked a total of 10 shots in three games, adding a combined 27 rebounds. After a slow start to the season, it appears that Kessler is fully healthy and looking a lot like the player we expected to see coming into the season.

NOVEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Coming off bench Wednesday Kessler isn't in the starting five for Wednesday's game versus the Grizzlies, David Locke of Utah Jazz radio reports.

Impact Kessler will come off the bench for the third straight contest, with Omer Yurtseven starting at center. Kessler played 26 minutes in his previous appearance and is being ramped up for a full workload.

NOVEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On minutes restriction Monday Kessler is expected to be available for 21-26 minutes Monday against the Clippers, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact Kessler played 21 minutes of the bench in Saturday's win over New Orleans, which marked his first game back after a seven-game absence to recover from a sprained UCL in his left elbow. Omer Yurtseven will start again Monday, but Kessler should continue ramping up while acclimating to game shape without overworking his elbow.

NOVEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Double-doubles in return Kessler supplied 11 points (5-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 11 rebounds, two blocks and one steal across 21 minutes during Saturday's 105-100 victory over the Pelicans.

Impact Kessler returned to action Saturday, playing 21 minutes off the bench. Despite the extended layoff, he got right back to business, producing a double-double with three combined steals and blocks. After a slow start to the season, managers will be hoping that now that he has had time to rest his elbow, he will start to look more like the player from last season. Given what we saw from him here, he should once again be deployed in all leagues moving forward.

NOVEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available off bench Kessler (elbow) will be available off the bench Saturday against the Pelicans, Ben Anderson of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.

Impact Kessler does not have specific restrictions, but coach Will Hardy made it sound like the decision to bring him off the bench was partially to keep his minutes in check. Regardless, Kessler's fantasy managers will be glad to have him back in lineups for his ability to swat shots at an elite level.

NOVEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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U.S. player pool for Paris Olympics includes LeBron James and Joel Embiid, among others