Jazz Center Walker Kessler Set to Return Against Kings

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz will welcome back center Walker Kessler as they prepare to face the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. Kessler, who missed the Jazz’s previous game against the Portland Trail Blazers due to an illness, is cleared to play in the contest at the Delta Center.

Despite Kessler’s return, the Jazz will still be without key players including Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Collin Sexton due to injuries. Kessler’s presence will be vital for Utah, especially as they look to compete against a strong Western Conference opponent.

In the season so far, Kessler has established himself as a crucial player for the Jazz, averaging 11.2 points, 12.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.4 blocks in about 30 minutes per game across 44 contests. His performance has been pivotal for a team experiencing an inconsistent campaign. “Kessler has become our defensive anchor,” said Jazz coach Will Hardy. “His ability to protect the rim is invaluable to our strategy moving forward.”

In Kessler’s absence during the game against the Trail Blazers, rookie Kyle Filipowski made headlines with his standout performance, scoring 20 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists. His perfect shooting from beyond the arc was particularly notable, as he drew comparisons to NBA legends with a historical achievement. “His shooting is improving, and it’s giving our team a very different look,” Hardy added.

The Kings, on the other hand, are eyeing to maintain their position in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament. They currently hold a 2.5-game advantage over the Phoenix Suns for the 10th seed, having acquired All-Star guard Zach LaVine at the trade deadline. Sacramento has shown resilience, bolstering their chances to stay competitive on the road with a current 4-4 record since LaVine’s addition.

The matchup is significant, with Sacramento coming in as favorites even while playing away from home. The tip-off for the game is set for 7 PM MT. Fans can watch the game live on KJZZ or stream it on Jazz+.