Walker Kessler Leaves Jazz Road Trip With Shoulder Injury
Nov 2, 2025, 4:34 PM | Updated: Nov 3, 2025, 10:46 am
Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey (left), center Walker Kessler (24) (middle), and Jusuf Nurkic (right) sit on the bench (Credit: Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
(Credit: Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Walker Kessler returned to Utah before the second game of the Jazz’s five-game road trip to undergo testing on his injured shoulder.
The Jazz announced his departure shortly before facing the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.
Related: Jazz Fall To Suns In Phoenix
Walker Kessler Returns To Utah With Shoulder Injury
Kessler had played in all five Jazz games this season before leaving the team due to the injury.
The team did not specify when Kessler sustained the injury.
The Jazz will really benefit from Georges Niang and Isaiah Collier returning to the second unit, whenever that happens.
Seems almost every game, the Jazz subs come in and the team finds itself down double-digits.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) November 2, 2025
“Walker Kessler did not travel with the team to Charlotte,” the Jazz said. “He has returned to Salt Lake City to undergo further testing on his left shoulder.”
The fourth-year center was averaging a career-high 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks while shooting 78 percent from the field.
Kessler Missed Preseason Games With Shoulder Injury
Kessler missed the Jazz’s first three preseason games with a left shoulder injury after taking a hit during training camp.
Although the injury wasn’t considered serious, the Jazz exercised extra caution with the Auburn product’s health.
Kessler played 74 games in his rookie season, 68 games as a sophomore, and 58 games last season with the Jazz.
The center will enter restricted free agency this summer.
Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports.
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.
