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 centerWalker 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 centerWalker 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.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (rest) will be in the lineup for Wednesday's tilt against the Washington Wizards. He was initially expected to sit out the contest after Utah listed him as out for rest purposes. However, Lauri Markkanen (personal) has now been ruled out for the game, with Kessler coming back into the mix. His presence will limit Kyle Filipowski's effectiveness. Fantasy managers have seen Kessler dominate the glass recently, as he is averaging 14.8 rebounds this month. The seven-footer has added 12.3 points and 3.3 blocks per game on 55.2 percent shooting.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (rest) will skip Wednesday's game against the Washington Wizards. The team has decided to give him another rest day. Kessler's absence is a signal to fantasy managers to fire up Kyle Filipowski again. He has regularly started when Kessler has been out of the lineup. On the last such occasion, Filipowski produced a full line against the Toronto Raptors, notching 18 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block. As a starter, Filipowski has averaged 13.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists during his rookie campaign.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (rest) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Unsurprisingly, Kessler will sit this game out as the Jazz continue to limit the 23-year-old big man. It seems that the Jazz are playing Kessler for one game and then resting him in the next contest. Kyle Filipowski will slide into the starting five with Kessler out again. He has been a fairly solid streaming option lately with the Jazz being shorthanded.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (rest) has been ruled out ahead of Wednesday's game against the Washington Wizards. Kessler was one rebound shy of a double-double during Monday's contest. It's a bit odd to see the Jazz resting Kessler here, but the Jazz aren't really playing for anything at this point in the season. Kyle Filipowski figures to see an increased role and is worth streaming while the Jazz are banged up.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (illness) is listed as questionable ahead of Wednesday's game against the Sacramento Kings. Kessler is still recovering from an illness that forced him to miss Monday's contest. The Jazz are likely going to wait and see how he feels on Wednesday before making a final decision. Both John Collins (back) and Lauri Markkanen (back) are still sidelined, so the Jazz could be shorthanded for this game. If Kessler sits again, Brice Sensabaugh and Kyle Filipowski figure to have bigger roles in the rotation. Right now, both players are worth looking at as streaming options with the Jazz banged up.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (illness) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. This comes as no surprise, as Utah initially listed Kessler as questionable for the contest due to an illness. John Collins (back) is also out for the contest, meaning we should see Kyle Filipowski and Micah Potter handle the minutes at center. Filipowski will likely slide into the starting unit, where he has seen moderate success this season. In 10 starts, the Duke product has averaged 9.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (illness) has been listed as questionable for Monday's matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. The seven-footer is feeling under the weather and may have to come out of the lineup following a pair of big performances. Kessler gobbled up 36 rebounds during the team's back-to-back set against Oklahoma City and Houston. Kyle Filipowski stands to benefit the most from Kessler's absence and will likely take his spot in the starting lineup. In the most recent game Kessler missed, Filipowski racked up 20 points and 10 rebounds in 37 minutes as a starter.

The Utah Jazz announced centerWalker Kessler (thumb) is unavailable to suit up for Thursday's matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers. The big man is a late scratch due to a left thumb strain. Kessler will have some time to recover from the injury with the upcoming NBA All-Star break. His next chance to return to action is February 21st against the Thunder. With Kessler on the shelf, Kyle FilipowskiandMicah Potter will soak up the extra minutes at center during this evening's contest.

According to Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune, Utah Jazz centerWalker Kessler(shoulder) is available for Thursday's matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The big man missed two straight games due to a left shoulder contusion. Kessler is averaging 11.3 points and 11.4 rebounds per game, shooting a career-high 73 percent from the floor. Utah has been shorthanded during the last few games, but John Collins (illness) will also return after three consecutive contests this evening.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (shoulder) is listed as questionable ahead of Thursday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The big man is in danger of missing a third straight game due to a left shoulder contusion. The Jazz have been shorthanded over the last few games with John Collins (illness) also sidelined. That means, Drew Eubanks, Kyle Filipowski, and Brice Sensabaugh have all been asked to play bigger roles in the rotation. That might happen again with Kessler and Collins both listed as questionable. If they sit, Sensabaugh probably has the highest ceiling but all three could make for low-end streaming options.