Jazz lose starting center Walker Kessler for season

After just five games, the Jazz got some rough news on Wednesday.

Center Walker Kessler is out for the season and will undergo surgery on his left shoulder, per Tony Jones of The Athletic and NBA insider Chris Haynes.

ESPN’s Shams Charania added that Kessler has a torn labrum that will end his season before the Halloween decorations even come down.

Haynes reported that the shoulder was originally injured early in training camp and then aggravated again recently. The procedure is scheduled for Thursday.

It’s a brutal blow for a 24-year-old who appeared ready to take another step.

Kessler, the 22nd pick in 2022, arrived in Utah as part of the Rudy Gobert blockbuster and has since grown into the starting center. He posted career highs last year in points, rebounds and assists. He also led the league in offensive rebounds per night.

He was off to a strong start this season, too. Kessler averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and three assists while playing the first five games. The Jazz initially listed the issue as “bursitis” before further testing revealed the tear.

Utah’s long-term outlook likely doesn’t shift much, given that they’re already tracking toward the lottery.

But this makes his contract situation more complicated. Kessler is on the books for $4.88 million this season and can become a restricted free agent in 2026 if Utah tenders a qualifying offer.

For now, the Jazz will keep starting Jusuf Nurkic, with Kyle Filipowski in the rotation and Kevin Love likely logging extra minutes.