Walker Kessler Returns As Jazz Clash With Kings
Feb 26, 2025, 1:50 PM | Updated: 10:21 pm
Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Walker Kessler will return to the Utah Jazz lineup as they host the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.
Kessler missed Monday’s 114-112 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers with an illness.
Related: Jazz Fall To Trail Blazers At Home
Walker Kessler Back As Jazz Face Kings
Without Kessler in the lineup, Kyle Filipowksi had the best game of his young career with the Jazz.
The rookie recorded 20 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists while shooting a perfect 4-4 from the three-point line.
Filipowski and Los Angeles Clippers forward Lamar Odom are the only two players in history to hit those marks in a single game during their first year in the NBA.
“His shooting is really improving, and it’s helping him a lot,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “But it’s also giving our team a very different look, because when he spaces the court, the paint is much more open.”
Kyle Filipowski’s first 27 games:
26% 3pt shooting on 1.9 attempts per game.
59% on free throws.
Flip’s last 20 games:
48% 3pt shooting on 2.3 attempts per game. 📈
66% on free throws. 📈
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 26, 2025
The Kings, meanwhile, face the Jazz to open a stretch in which they will play seven of their next nine games on the road.
Sacramento sits 2.5 games ahead of the Phoenix Suns for the 10th and final seed in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament and will look to maintain that lead during the difficult stretch.
The Kings are 4-4 with Zach LaVine in the lineup after acquiring the All-Star guard at the trade deadline.
Utah Jazz Injury Report
AVAILABLE – Walker Kessler (illness)
OUT – Lauri Markkanen (back)
OUT – John Collins (back)
OUT – Collin Sexton (ankle)
OUT – Taylor Hendricks (leg)
Sacramento Kings Injury Report
OUT – Devin Carter (G League)
Utah Jazz Next Broadcast
The Jazz will host the Sacramento Kings on Friday at 7 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
