Jazz Guard Collin Sexton Splits Defense, Finds Walker Kessler For Layup

Jan 18, 2023, 7:44 PM

Utah Jazz Center Walker Kessler (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz rookie center Walker Kessler got off to another fast start, leaving no doubt about his ability as starting NBA center.

The Jazz (23-24) returned home to take on the Los Angeles Clippers (23-23) at Vivint Arena on Wednesday, January 18.

Young Bull finds the rook 👀 pic.twitter.com/e8FZQldw1v

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 19, 2023

Kessler didn’t miss a beat after finishing with 20 points and 21 rebounds against the Timberwolves on Monday afternoon. In the first quarter alone, Kessler scored six points and grabbed six rebounds while blocking a shot, stealing a pass and assisting a teammate. Sexton has four points and an assist in six minutes off the bench.

After jumping out to a 9-0 lead, the Jazz have continued to pull away from a shorthanded Los Angeles team. Utah leads the Clippers 47-32 with less than nine minutes left in the half.

All-Star Hopeful Lauri Markkanen Returns

Markkanen is in the midst of the breakout season with the Jazz averaging 24.6 points per game and 8.6 rebounds.

The Finnish big man appears poised to earn his first All-Star nod and has helped keep the Jazz relevant in the Western Conference Playoff chase.

But even without Markkanen over the last two games, the Jazz competed well against two formidable opponents.

UPDATED Jazz Injury Report (as of 1/18):

*AVAILABLE – Lauri Markkanen (left hip contusion)

OUT – Kelly Olynyk (left ankle sprain)

OUT – Johnny Juzang (G League – Two-Way)

OUT – Micah Potter (G League – Two-Way)

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 18, 2023

On Friday, the team narrowly lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 118-117 in Salt Lake City before beating the Timberwolves in Minnesota on Monday.

Rookie Walker Kessler had the best game of his career with 20 points, 21 rebounds, and four assists in the Jazz 126-125 victory. Fellow rookie Ochai Agbai chipped in 17 points, while Clarkson led all Jazz scorers with 21.

While Markkanen has been upgraded to available, veteran big man Kelly Olynyk remains sidelined with an ankle injury.

Clippers On Back-To-Back

The Clippers traveled to Utah on the second half of back-to-back games after facing the 76ers Tuesday night with several key players missing from the roster.

In addition to Leonard and George, the Clippers will be without Luke Kennard, John Wall, and Moses Brown against the Jazz.

Spearheaded by Leonard and George, Los Angeles has been one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA this season. Just past the midway point of the season, the Clippers sit at .500 with their most daunting stretch of the schedule on the horizon.

Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Luke Kennard, John Wall and Moses Brown (G League) are all out tonight in Utah.

Ivica Zubac (left knee contusion) is listed as questionable.

— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) January 18, 2023

After falling to Philadelphia on Tuesday, the Clippers play 10 of their next 11 games on the road, beginning with the Jazz on Wednesday night.

Thought to be one of the favorites to come out of the West, the Clippers are just 2-8 in their last ten games and have the second-toughest remaining strength of schedule in the NBA.

LA would fall behind the Jazz in the standings with a loss Wednesday night.

Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers Broadcast

The Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers game is televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. It can also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.

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