Jazz's Walker Kessler to undergo tests on left shoulder

Walker Kessler will miss the final four games of the Utah Jazz‘s five-game road trip, as he’s been sent back to Utah for testing on his left shoulder, reports Andy Larson of the Salt Lake Tribune (Twitter link).

Kessler missed much of the preseason with left shoulder bursitis, but has been able to play in all five of the Jazz’s games so far this season, posting career highs in points, assists, and steals with 14.4, 3.0, and 1.4, respectively, while also adding 10.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per night.

He has been Utah’s third-best scorer in addition to being the anchor of their defense, and has expanded his range, attempting 1.6 threes per night, a big leap from his previous career-high 0.6 last season.

Kessler is in a contract year after failing to come to terms on a rookie-scale extension with Utah this offseason. He will become a restricted free agent this summer.

Shoulder bursitis is the result of damage or irritation to the bursae, which are fluid-filled sacs that cushion the area between the rotator cuff and scapula.

Larson notes (via Twitter) that Jusuf Nurkic will start Sunday against his former team, the Hornets, and will likely get the start in the remaining three games of the road trip, against the Celtics, Pistons, and Timberwolves.

Nurkic is currently averaging 7.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.4 steals in just 17.2 minutes per night for the Jazz.