Walker Kessler Fantasy Stats

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (shoulder) is undergoing surgery for a torn labrum and will miss the rest of the season. Kessler was averaging a career-high 14.4 points, while adding 10.8 rebounds, three assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game. The big man even added a three-point shot to his game this year. Jusuf Nurkic, who started the last two games with Kessler inactive, should hold onto the starting center spot for the immediate future. Kessler's injury also opens up more opportunities for forward/center Kyle Filipowski and forward Taylor Hendricks. Kessler will be a restricted free agent this upcoming offseason.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (shoulder) won't play on Monday versus Boston. The 24-year-old didn't travel with the Jazz for their four-game road trip, and he didn't play in Sunday's meeting with the Charlotte Hornets. Kessler will presumably miss a few more contests, although that may change depending on the results of testing. In the meantime, Jusuf Nurkic should remain in the starting lineup. Nurkic had three points, nine boards, and two steals on Sunday against the Hornets. However, he has the potential to be much more productive, giving him streaming value for fantasy managers.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (shoulder) didn't travel with the team for the upcoming four-game road trip. He's already been ruled out for Sunday's meeting with the Charlotte Hornets. However, the latest update presumably means he may also miss the next three contests while undergoing additional testing on the preexisting shoulder issue. The 24-year-old is having a fantastic season, averaging 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks. He's also shot 75.0% from behind the arc. In the meantime, Jusuf Nurkic, averaging 7.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals during the first five games of the 2025 campaign, should be in line for an uptick in production. Nurkic has already been named a starter for Sunday's game, so his value will continue to increase if that trend continues for upcoming road games against Boston, Detroit, and Minnesota.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (shoulder) has been listed as out for Sunday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. The Jazz begin a back-to-back on Sunday, and it looks like the team wants to give Kessler some time off to manage a shoulder injury, which has bothered him since preseason. Kessler's absence will provide an opportunity for Jusuf Nurkic to join the starting lineup. Coming off the bench, Nurkic has posted 7.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game with the Jazz this season. As a starter, he will certainly be a double-double threat. Kyle Filipowski and Taylor Hendricks could also see more time on the court on Sunday without Kessler.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (shoulder) remained sidelined for Monday's scrimmage, Ben Anderson of KSL Sports reports. Kessler was also unavailable for practice over the weekend due to left shoulder soreness. Lauri Markkanen (wrist), Kyle Filipowski (back), Isaiah Collier (hamstring), and Georges Niang (foot) also remained sidelined on Monday. The Jazz are quite a bit banged up just a couple of weeks before the regular season starts. After he didn't reach an agreement with the team on a rookie-scale contract extension during the offseason, Kessler should be very determined to get healthy and perform well at the start of the campaign. The 24-year-old had a productive campaign in 2024-25 with averages of 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in 30.0 minutes.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler expressed frustration at the team's media day over his contract situation. Earlier reports indicated that the Jazz will not extend the center before the Oct. 20 deadline for fourth-year players. Kessler said he didn't want to talk about the issue after training camp started, but added "that being said, I'm definitely a little frustrated." If Kessler does not sign an extension before the October deadline, he would become a restricted free agent after the season, giving any team the chance to offer him a new contract, with the Jazz retaining matching rights on any deal. Kessler has put up big numbers when healthy and drawn plenty of trade interest, most notably from the Lakers. If he stays in Utah, he could be a big piece to build around for the Jazz, or they could look to turn him into more assets at the trade deadline this season.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler is eligible for an extension. However, it looks like he's headed for restricted free agency after the 2025-26 season. According to The Athletic's Tony Jones, the two sides have halted extension negotiations and are not expected to reach a deal before the Oct. 20 deadline. The Jazz did make an offer to Kessler over the offseason, but they weren't close to actually agreeing on a contract. Jones also reports that the team is prioritizing cap flexibility for next year's free agency period. They have received calls with trade offers for Kessler, but have denied all of them. The 24-year-old appeared in 58 games last season and averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (concussion) is unavailable for Sunday's season finale matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kessler has been in the NBA's concussion protocols since April 3, and Sunday's game will be the fifth in a row he's missed. Kyle Filipowski will see an expanded role during the Jazz season finale. Filipowski finished with a double-double in a 145-111 loss to the Thunder on Saturday. He's started 10 consecutive games averaging 14.8 points, 10.8 boards, 1.9 assists, 1.3 threes, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks and could be a solid fantasy option against the Timberwolves.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (nose, concussion) is unavailable for Friday's matchup with the Indiana Pacers. Kessler is currently in the NBA's concussion protocols, meaning he could miss a significant amount of time. The 23-year-old big man is averaging 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 2.4 blocks across 58 appearances this season. With Kessler out of action, Kyle Filipowski and Brice Sensabaugh will likely be called upon to take on most of the Jazz front-court minutes this evening.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (illness) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Denver Nuggets. The team has downgraded his status from questionable to out. This is another boost for Kyle Filipowski, who has already had a larger role in the rotation due to the absences of John Collins (ankle) and Lauri Markkanen (conditioning). Filipowski put together a full line in Thursday's defeat to the Houston Rockets, finishing with 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals. With Kessler out, we may also see more of Brice Sensabaugh and Kenyon Martin Jr. in Friday's game.