Walker Kessler News, Rumors, Updates - Los Angeles Lakers

Jokić, Embiid, Antetokounmpo finalists for NBA MVP award

Here is the full list of finalists for the 2022-23 NBA regular season awards.

APRIL 15, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Jokić, Embiid, Antetokounmpo finalists for NBA MVP award

Walker Kessler in contention for NBA Rookie of the Year The former Auburn center is among three finalists for the honor.

APRIL 14, 2023 • AL.COM

Report: Jazz C Walker Kessler (concussion) season likely over Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler is entering concussion protocol, likely ending his season, ESPN reported Monday.

APRIL 3, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Logs 20-point double-double 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.

Impact 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.

APRIL 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

NBA Rookie of the Year 2023 odds: Paolo Banchero the overwhelming favorite to win ROY over Jalen Williams and Walker Kessler With the NBA regular season wrapping up, we take a look at the current betting favorite (Paolo Banchero) to win this season's Rookie of the...

MARCH 29, 2023 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Tallies career-high point total 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.

Impact 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.

MARCH 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Walker Kessler Scores CAREER-HIGH 31 Points vs Kings! | March 25, 2023

MARCH 26, 2023 • YOUTUBE

31 POINTS for Walker Kessler 🤠 | UTAH JAZZ

MARCH 26, 2023 • YOUTUBE

Provides pivotal block in win 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.

Impact 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.

MARCH 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Swats shot to seal win 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.

Impact 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.

MARCH 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Markkanen's scoring, Kessler's block lifts Jazz past Celtics

Lauri Markkanen scored 28 points and Walker Kessler had a game-saving block to help the Utah Jazz to a 118-117 comeback win over the Boston Celtics

MARCH 19, 2023 • Associated Press

Unstoppable force Kessler provided 17 points (8-10 FG, 1-2 FT), 16 rebounds, one assist and three blocks over 32 minutes during Saturday's 119-111 victory over the Hornets.

Impact 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 (seven games), averaging 11.9 points, 13.1 rebounds and 4.1 blocks in 31.1 minutes per contest.

MARCH 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Double-doubles in return 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.

Impact 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.

MARCH 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Thursday Kessler (illness) is available for Thursday's game versus the Magic.

Impact 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.

MARCH 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable against Orlando Kessler (illness) is questionable for Thursday's game versus the Magic, Ben Anderson of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out Tuesday Kessler (illness) will not play during Tuesday's matchup at Dallas, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with non-COVID illness Kessler is questionable for Tuesday's game in Dallas due to a non-COVID illness, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Swats five shots 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.

Impact 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.

MARCH 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Excellent on both ends Friday Kessler finished Friday's 130-103 loss to the Thunder with 10 points (5-5 FG), 11 rebounds and four blocks in 25 minutes.

Impact 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.

MARCH 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Game-high 12 boards, five blocks 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.

Impact 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.

FEBRUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Collects game-high 18 boards 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.

Impact 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.

FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

NBA All-Star highlights: Mac McClung stuns in Slam Dunk Contest

NBA All-Star Saturday continues with the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest. Here are the highlights!

FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

NBA All-Star highlights: Mac McClung stuns in Slam Dunk Contest

Goaltend aside, Utah Jazz's Walker Kessler thrilled with Rising Stars experience Utah Jazz rookie center Walker Kessler registers a couple blocked shots, and is handed a controversial goaltend in Friday's Rising Stars tou...

FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • SLTRIB.COM

Posts double-double despite defeat 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.

Impact 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.

FEBRUARY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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Jokić, Embiid, Antetokounmpo finalists for NBA MVP award

Markkanen's scoring, Kessler's block lifts Jazz past Celtics

NBA All-Star highlights: Mac McClung stuns in Slam Dunk Contest