History Repeats: Walker Kessler Breaks Nose on April 2, Two Years in a Row
Apr 10, 2025, 11:47 AM
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 23: Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the first half of a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Delta Center on October 23, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY- Four games ago against the Houston Rockets, Walker Kessler took a blow to the nose, giving him a nasal fracture and concussion-like symptoms.
While it is disappointing that the injury will likely sideline Kessler for the remaining two games of the season, an interesting anecdote has emerged following the diagnosis when it was discovered that a year ago on the same date, Kessler suffered the same exact injury.
Check the dates: Walker Kessler broke his nose on April 2, 2024, and again exactly a year later, April 2, 2025. pic.twitter.com/A9Vh9BP7hN
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) April 9, 2025
April 2, 2024
On April 2, 2024, the Utah Jazz hosted the Cleveland Cavaliers at Delta Center. Kessler had a strong start to the game, but in the middle of the second quarter, Walker contested a dunk attempt by Evan Mobley and took an inadvertent forearm to the face. Kessler immediately held his face, but play continued for a few seconds, and he had to finish out the defensive possession, but when play stopped, blood was clearly running down Walker’s face.
Walker did not return to the game after being diagnosed with a nasal fracture.
Walker Kessler has a nasal fracture and will not return to the game for the @utahjazz. #TakeNote | @kslsports
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) April 3, 2024
April 2, 2025
On April 2, 2025, the Jazz visited the Houston Rockets. Per the Jazz on X, Walker Kessler sustained his injury in the first quarter against Houston, but he did not exit and would end up playing the remainder of the contest.
It wasn’t until after the final buzzer that Kessler started displaying symptoms of a concussion, putting him in the concussion protocol. Walker has since appeared on the injury report and has not played another game.
Walker Kessler Injury Update:
Walker Kessler sustained a nasal fracture during the first quarter vs. Houston on April 2. He also displayed concussion symptoms following the game and was entered into the concussion protocol. Today, once the nasal swelling subsided, he was…
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 9, 2025
Broken Nose Déjà Vu
When the Utah Jazz released the injury update yesterday evening, the connection was made by Insider Ben Anderson who went back in time on his X timeline to find the Kessler had in fact sustained a broken nose on April 2, 2024 and 2025.
While it is nothing but a curious coincidence, one fan commented that Walker Kessler should sit on April 2, 2026, to avoid a broken nose for a third consecutive year, suggesting the date is cursed for Kessler.
So next April 2 will be walker kessler out (nasal fracture prevention)?
— joey maggard (@jmagg) April 9, 2025
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Difference Between 17 Wins And 37 Wins
There are similarities and differences between Hardy’s three seasons overseeing the Jazz.
The similarities — the team will be closely watching lottery balls in mid-May, hoping to get a franchise-changing player in June’s NBA draft.
The difference — after winning 37 games and 31 games in his first two seasons in Utah, the Jazz are on pace to finish tied with the Washington Wizards for the league’s worst record.
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“The reality of not being in contention sets in earlier, which is something that’s real and has to be addressed,” Hardy acknowledged. “But I do think if you meet those things head on, they can be worked through pretty quickly.”
The Jazz were in contention to compete for the Play-In Tournament at the trade deadline in each of Hardy’s first two seasons, but both years the team’s front office chose to pull the plug on the season in February in hopes of bettering their lottery odds.
This season, the Jazz opened their campaign with an 0-6 record and were out of playoff contention by November.
Despite the differences, Hardy said the team’s approach hasn’t changed dramatically, especially for the young players on the roster.
“They’re trying to establish themselves as NBA rotational players with us, but more than that, they want 29 other teams to also be interested in them,” the coach added.
Though the Jazz will finish with the worst record in franchise history, Hardy said they’ve responded well to the adversity.
“There is a moment when you are initially out of contention where it hits the team a little bit because they are humans, but I think that the guys have worked through that really quickly.”
