Walker Kessler Tells Draymond Green No At The Rim
Nov 25, 2022, 9:04 PM | Updated: 9:05 pm
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler blocks a shot against the Golden State Warriors (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz rookie Walker Kessler gave Draymond Green a firsthand look at his shot-blocking expertise on Friday night.
The Jazz faced Green and the Golden State Warriors on the road and Kessler wasted little time swatting the veteran’s shot.
Less than a minute into the second quarter, Green drove to the hoop for what looked like an easy layup, but Kessler met the froward at the swim and blocked his shot.
the art of the ʙʟᴏᴄᴋ 🎨#TakeNote | @WalkerKessler13 pic.twitter.com/fJUtvJdb5m
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 26, 2022
Green, a former Defensive Player of the Year himself looked at Kessler on his way back down the floor as if impressed the rookie swatted the shot.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise for the Warriors’ star defender, Kessler leads all rookies in blocks per game at 1.5 per game.
Including his block against Green, Kessler had three blocks in 11 minutes in the first half of the Jazz game against the Warriors.
Jazz Out Of Rhythm Without Conley
Mike Conley is out of the lineup against the Warriors, missing his third straight game with a left knee strain suffered against the Portland Trail Blazers last Saturday.
The Jazz were able to survive the Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter in a 118-113 win, but have gone winless in their last two outings without the veteran guard.
The matchup with Golden State is the first of a two-game road trip before the Jazz return home where they will play eight of their next nine games.
UPDATED @utahjazz Injury Report against the @warriors
*OUT – Leandro Bolmaro (concussion protocol)
OUT – Mike Conley (popliteus strain left leg)
OUT – Rudy Gay (third MCP joint sprain left hand)
OUT – Johnny Juzang (right wrist sprain)
OUT – Micah Potter (G League – Two-Way)
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) November 25, 2022
After facing the Warriors on Friday night the Jazz will have a quick turnaround in Phoenix when they travel to play the Suns on Saturday.
The Jazz are 6-6 on the road this season and 12-8 overall, good for fourth place in the Western Conference standings.
Warriors Battle With Inconsistency
The Warriors have been one of the NBA’s more mercurial teams this season fresh off their fourth NBA title in the last eight seasons.
Golden State has struggled terribly on the road winning just one of their 10 contests away from home.
However, they’re nearly unbeatable at the Chase Center where they’ve gone 8-1 to open the season, and have won seven straight at home including Wednesday’s 124-107 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
