Utah Jazz Center Kessler Matches Career-High In Blocks, Sends Game To Overtime
Feb 23, 2023, 9:25 PM | Updated: Feb 24, 2023, 10:10 am
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz rookie center Walker Kessler ended regulation with the game’s two biggest plays, one on each end of the floor.
The Jazz (29-31, 11th in West) returned from the All-Star break to host the Oklahoma City Thunder (28-29, 10th in West) on Thursday, February 23.
in the words of Walker '𝑪'𝑴𝑶𝑵 𝑴𝑨𝑵' pic.twitter.com/x52qoCmnBs
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 24, 2023
Limited to just seven points, Kessler scored two of the games biggest points when he fought through three OKC defenders to tie the score at 106 with 4.6 seconds remaining.
On the other end, Kessler picked up his career-high tying block at the rim, sending the game to overtime.
TAKE A WALK #TakeNote | @WalkerKessler13 pic.twitter.com/yzrAvrOksw
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 24, 2023
Kessler is averaging 8.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game for the Jazz this season in 58 games.
RELATED: Sexton Out With Hamstring Injury As Jazz Host Thunder
Sexton Out With Hamstring Injury
On Wednesday, the Jazz announced that Collin Sexton had a left hamstring injury and would miss Thursday’s contest against the Thunder
Sexton is due to have the injury re-examined on Monday which will also keep him out of Saturday’s game at home against the San Antonio Spurs.
RELATED: What Do Frank Jackson, Kris Dunn Offer Jazz?
The speedy guard suffered the injury in the first quarter of the team’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies last Wednesday, their final game before the All-Star break.
During the break, the Jazz added additional guard depth to fill out the roster by signing veterans Frank Jackson and Kris Dunn to 10-day contracts.
Thunder Closed First Half Of Season Well
The Thunder come into Utah having played their best basketball of the season over their last 21 games.
Oklahoma City has won 13 of their last 21 outings to climb into the 10th spot in the West, and are likely to compete for a spot in the Western Conference Play-In tournament.
kickin’ off a 3-game home stand 💜🏡
⏰ 7:00PM MT
📺 @attsportsnet
📻 @kslsportszone
📍 @vivintarena
🎟️ https://t.co/qDxSA3jJ3A#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/9IHlVJ5OKL— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 23, 2023
Thursday marks the first meeting between the Thunder and Jazz this season.
The two teams will meet three more times before the season’s end, including back-to-back games in Oklahoma City next week as the Jazz open a six-game road swing.
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Utah Jazz vs. OKC Thunder Broadcast
The Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder game is being 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.
