Walker Kessler’s Season Ends After Torn Labrum; Jazz Center to Undergo Shoulder Surgery
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Salt Lake City, UT — Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler will miss the rest of the season after tests revealed a torn labrum in his left shoulder, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.
According to The Athletic’s Tony Jones and NBA insider Chris Haynes, the 24-year-old will have surgery on Thursday. Shams Charania of ESPN added that the injury, first suffered early in training camp and aggravated recently, requires an operation that ends his year just five games in.
Kessler, selected 22nd overall in the 2022 draft and acquired in the Rudy Gobert trade, had earned the starting job in Utah. Last season he set career highs in points, rebounds and assists while leading the league in offensive rebounds per game.
Through the opening five games this year, the 7-footer averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists. The Jazz initially listed his shoulder issue as bursitis before further evaluation confirmed the tear.
Utah is expected to keep Jusuf Nurkic in the starting lineup, with Kyle Filipowski seeing rotation minutes and Kevin Love likely absorbing additional time on the floor.
Kessler is earning $4.88 million this season and can become a restricted free agent in 2026 if the Jazz extend a qualifying offer.
Source: Hoops Wire
