Rookie Walker Kessler Leads Utah Jazz To Halftime Lead In Sacramento
Mar 25, 2023, 9:07 PM
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler dunks (Credit: Ryan Sun, Deseret News)
(Credit: Ryan Sun, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Rookie center Walker Kessler continues to grow by leaps and bounds, outplaying All-Star Domantas Sabonis in the first half.
The Jazz (35-38, 12th in West) traveled to Sacramento to take on the fast-paced Kings (44-29, 3rd in West) on Saturday, March 25.
it's Walker's world and we're just livin' in it 🌎
𝟏𝟗 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 in the first half for the big fella.#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/dzyKvVOIKT
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 26, 2023
Kessler scored six straight points down the stretch of the second quarter as the Jazz and Kings battled back and forth. The first-year player out of Auburn finished the half with a game-high 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting. He added six rebounds, an assist, and a blocked shot in 16 minutes on the floor. Jarrell Brantley has ten points off the bench.
After trailing by as much as 11 points early, the Jazz lead Sacramento 61-55 at the break.
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Jazz Set Sights On Sacramento Kings
After falling to the Bucks on Friday night, the Jazz have a difficult turnaround facing the Kings in Sacramento on Saturday.
The Jazz beat the Kings in their matchup earlier in the week, despite playing without Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, and Sexton.
Ochai Agbaji scored a career-high 27 points on 8-14 shooting including 6-10 from the three-point line.
Everyone say 🧀TEAM PHOTO DAY🧀#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/vahU3NvFh9
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 25, 2023
The Jazz are winless since beating the Kings, dropping the final two games of their four-game homestand to fall to 35-38 on the season.
The Kings meanwhile have hit a rare slump late in the season dropping back-to-back games against the Jazz and the Boston Celtics.
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Vying for the second seed in the West, the Kings losing streak dropped them to third in the West, and into a likely first-round match-up with either the Golden State Warriors or the Los Angeles Clippers.
De’Aaron Fox scored 37 points to lead the Kings in Utah, though Domontas Sabonis scored 11 points on 4-11 shooting going head-to-head with Walker Kessler.
Collin Sexton Hopes To Return This Season
Despite missing the last 13 games due to a hamstring injury, Collin Sexton said before Friday’s game that he hopes to return this season.
Sexton suffered the injury in Memphis in the final game before the All-Star break and hasn’t seen the floor since.
Jazz Injury Report (as of 3/25):
OUT – Jordan Clarkson (left hand – fourth finger sprain)
OUT – Rudy Gay (low back soreness)
OUT – Lauri Markkanen (left hand contusion)
OUT – Collin Sexton (left hamstring strain)
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 25, 2023
“I’ve just pretty much been ramping up and just trying to get back out there,” Sexton said. “It’s tough just sitting there and watching.”
The Alabama product has been a reliable backup for the Jazz in 47 appearances this season but has been in and out of the lineup in his first year with the team. Sexton is averaging 14.3 points, 2.9 assists, and 2.2 rebounds while shooting an efficient 50 percent from the floor and 41 percent from the three-point line.
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Utah Jazz vs. Sacramento Kings broadcast
The Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings game is being televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. It can also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.
