Jazz Provide Major Update Surrounding Walker Kessler’s Elbow Injury

Throughout the past two weeks, the Utah Jazz have been without their encouraging second-year C Walker Kessler, as he’s been dealing with an elbow injury. It’s kept him out of their last five games, a stretch in which the team went 2-3, but recent developments have generated some optimism for an upcoming return.

According to a team release, Kessler has made some nice strides in his recovery. Monday’s injury report states he is now set to return to contact practice this week, with a reevaluation set to take place in a week.

Walker Kessler (left elbow ulnar collateral ligament sprain) continues to make progress and has been cleared to begin basketball contact this week.

The injury was sustained during Utah’s season-opening game against Sacramento on Oct. 25. He will be reevaluated in one week. pic.twitter.com/1AuroWBwHv
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 20, 2023

Through his first eight games of the season, Kessler has averaged 8.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game on 54.9% shooting from the field.

A one-week reevaluation window effectively keeps him out of the Jazz’s next three games across the upcoming week, including their last In-Season Tournament game against the Los Angeles Lakers, along with matchups against the Portland Trail Blazers and New Orleans Pelicans.

It hurts not being able to have the team’s defensive anchor against dominating interior presences like C Anthony Davis and F Zion Williamson, but ensuring this team’s young cornerstone is fully healthy before returning to action should, and will be a bigger priority.

For now, F John Collins should continue to handle the reigns as the Jazz starting center, a role he’s looked notably productive and comfortable in throughout his most recent performances. Through the five-game stretch Kessler has been absent, Collins has put up 15.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks a night on a stellar 58.8% efficiency from beyond the arc.

Once this frontcourt can get back to full strength, the only way to go is up for this promising Jazz squad.

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