Kessler Reverse Dunks Alley-Oop From Olynyk During Jazz-Nuggets Game
Dec 10, 2022, 8:33 PM | Updated: 9:01 pm
Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz scores on an alley-oop dunk in the first half during an NBA game at Pepsi Center on December 10, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz rookie center Walker Kessler threw down a reverse slam dunk on an alley-oop from Kelly Olynyk during Utah’s road game against the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets hosted the Jazz at Ball Arena on Saturday, December 10.
With 5:32 remaining in the first half, Olynyk lobbed a pass over Denver’s defense toward the rim. The ball landed in Kessler’s hands and the rookie threw the roundball threw the hoop on a reverse jam.
Kessler’s dunk cut Denver’s lead to 40-39.
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Late in the quarter, the Jazz trailed the Nuggets, 46-41. Kessler had six points on 2-2 field goals. He added six rebounds and a block during his first 11 minutes on the hardwood. Olynyk had eight points on 3-4 shooting, including 2-2 from beyond the arc. He also had one rebound and one assist in 11 minutes of action.
This season, Kessler is averaging 6.0 points per game on 76.2 percent shooting. Olynyk averages 13.0 rebounds, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per contest.
Walker Kessler is getting a lot better at rolling and finishing.
He isn't stopping and looking to finish around people he's just going straight at the basket.
More positive development.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) December 11, 2022
RELATED: Jazz Rookie Ochai Agbaji Knocks Down Three Against Nuggets
Utah’s game against Denver is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.
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Jazz vs. Nuggets
The Jazz face a difficult turnaround as they hop on a plane and travel to Denver to take on the Nuggets on Saturday night.
The Nuggets are coming off a thrilling 121-120 victory over the Trail Blazers on Thursday night in Portland.
Jamal Murray hit a clutch three-pointer with 0.9 seconds left over Jerami Grant to give the Nuggets the victory.
The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Denver which has struggled over the last month.
LISTEN LIVE: The @utahjazz are on the road for a quick trip against the @nuggets on the @KSLSportsZone and https://t.co/4kU961UAvR.#TakeNote https://t.co/U5GigSQtgT pic.twitter.com/Uk7Ju7yjaB
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 11, 2022
After opening the season 8-3, the Nuggets are just 7-7 since November 11.
Murray is listed as probable for Saturday’s game against the Jazz due to a left knee contusion.
The All-Star guard is coming off a torn ACL and was slow to find his rhythm to open the season. However, Murray has scored 20 points or more in seven of the Nuggets’ last ten games while shooting 42 percent from the floor and 36 percent from the three-point line.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic has continued his run of MVP level through the first third of the season for Denver. The superstar leads the Nuggets in scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals at 23.5 points, 10.0 boards, 8.9 dimes, and 1.2 steals.
The Jazz represents the first game in an advantageous stretch for the Nuggets who will play six of their next seven games at home concluding with a matchup against the Phoenix Suns on Christmas Day.
