Walker Kessler Scores 1,000th Career Point During Jazz-Hornets Game
Jan 27, 2024, 6:03 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2024, 5:29 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz center Walker Kessler scored the 1,000th point of his NBA career during the first half of Utah’s game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Walker Kessler hits landmark against Hornets
The Hornets hosted the Jazz at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina on Saturday, January 25.
With 11:22 remaining in the second quarter, Jazz forward Kelly Olynyk lobbed a pass in the paint to Kessler. The second-year center collected the ball before completing the alley-oop with a layup. Kessler’s bucket gave the Georgia native 1,000 points in his professional career. It also gave the Jazz a 49-26 lead.
Midway through the second quarter, the Jazz owned a 65-35 lead. Kessler had eight points on 4-5 field goals. He added four rebounds and three blocks in 10 minutes on the hardwood.
with this bucket, @WalkerKessler13 reaches 𝟭𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗦 🤠🏆#UltraMoment | @MichelobULTRA pic.twitter.com/dBHoqm8LJy
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 28, 2024
Later in the quarter, Kessler swatted a shot by Hornets forward Brandon Miller for the 275th block of his career.
1000 blocks milestone, coming 🔜#TakeNote | @WalkerKessler13 pic.twitter.com/CaWTI5FpS9
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 28, 2024
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This season, the Auburn product is averaging 8.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 2.7 blocks, and 0.5 steals in 23.8 minutes per game.
Utah’s game against Charlotte is broadcast on KJZZ, Jazz+, NBA League Pass, KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM), KSLSports.com, and the KSL Sports app.
LISTEN LIVE: @utahjazz continue their road trip against the @hornets on the @kslsports app, @KSLSportsZone, and: https://t.co/fxzs3gxWs3 pic.twitter.com/EWJg96AJdi
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 28, 2024
Jazz vs. Hornets
Saturday’s contest was Utah’s first meeting against Charlotte this season.
The Jazz will host the Hornets in less than a month. Charlotte’s return trip to Utah will be played at the Delta Center on Thursday, February 22 at 7 p.m. (MT).
The Hornets welcomed the Jazz to North Carolina with a 10-33 record, including 5-15 at the Spectrum Center. Utah sits at 23-23 on the season. However, the Jazz are only 8-17 away from Salt Lake City.
Catch all the action on the @KSLSportsZone tonight!#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/9oMu45eEbV
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 27, 2024
Charlotte entered the day on a two-game losing streak after suffering losses to Detroit and Houston.
The Jazz arrived in North Carolina after beating the Washington Wizards to end a three-game skid. Before Utah’s losing streak, the Jazz had won six straight contests.
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com. Listen to Ireland on Yards After College: An NFL Podcast. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).