Jazz Center Walker Kessler Dunks Alley-Oops Against Pelicans

SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz rookie Walker Kessler threw down a big slam dunk on an alley-oop from Nickeil Alexander-Walker during the second half of Utah’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Jazz hosted the Pelicans at Vivint Arena on Thursday, December 15.

With 7:50 left in the fourth quarter, Alexander-Walker lobbed a pass over the head of New Orleans defenders and into the hands of a leaping Kessler.

The Auburn product threw down the alley-oop for a two-handed jam.

Kessler’s dunk tied the game at 102-102. It was the center’s first field goal of the game.

After the jam, the rookie had four points on 1-1 field goals. He added four rebounds, one assist, one steal, and a block in 17 minutes on the court.

A couple of minutes later, Kessler threw down another dunk on an alley-oop from Jordan Clarkson.

🗣️ all day rook, ALL DAY 🗣️#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/RH1lTjxv6X

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 16, 2022

This season, Kessler is averaging 6.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 0.2 steals in 16.9 minutes per contest.

Utah’s game against New Orleans is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.

Pelicans vs. Jazz

Collin Sexton will miss his fourth consecutive game with a hamstring injury suffered against the Golden State Warriors on December 7th.

The second-unit guard underwent an MRI on Wednesday and will have his status updated by the team on Thursday.

Sexton is averaging 14.3 points and 3.0 assists in 27 games with the Jazz this season.

LISTEN LIVE: The @utahjazz will look to sweep the two-game series with the @PelicansNBA on the @KSLSportsZone and https://t.co/4kU961CZ7h.#TakeNote https://t.co/7gRvvLJ8H4 pic.twitter.com/TRwcXcM4Bk

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 16, 2022

Despite scoring the game-winning basket, Simone Fontecchio was injured in Utah’s recent win over the Golden State Warriors.

The Italian rookie sprained his ankle early in the game but finished the night before being ruled out the past week.

Fontecchio is averaging 4.8 points and 1.3 rebounds while shooting 41 percent from the three-point line.

The Jazz expect Lauri Markkanen and Mike Conly on the floor for the second straight game. Markkanen returned from an illness that sidelined him for three games and scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Tuesday’s win. Conley added seven points and six assists in 29 minutes.

New Orleans Looks To Avoid Jazz Sweep

Despite being tied for the best record in the West after Tuesday’s loss, the Pelicans are looking to avoid a three-game season sweep at the hands of the Jazz.

The Jazz took down the Pelicans 122-121 in overtime in the third game of the season in New Orleans before dismantling the West’s top seed in their second matchup. Thursday’s matchup is the final regular season meeting between the two teams.

RELATED: Healthier Jazz Crush West-Best New Orleans Pelicans

Brandon Ingram is scheduled to miss his ninth straight game when the Pelicans face the Jazz.

New Orleans was 7-0 after Ingram left the roster with a toe injury, but saw their winning streak snapped in Utah.

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