The Utah Jazz will be without their best defensive presence for all of the 2025-26 season.
That’s because center Walker Kessler will miss the rest of the season due to a torn labrum in his left shoulder, the Jazz announced Wednesday.
Kessler first experienced problems with his left shoulder last January, described then as a left shoulder contusion. But he returned to action to play much of the rest of last season, before experiencing even more trouble with the injury when preseason began in October.
After the Jazz’s game against Phoenix on Oct. 31, Kessler was sent to Salt Lake City for further evaluation and testing on the shoulder.
“I’m really disappointed. He’s a really good young player. He’s worked really hard,” Jazz head coach Will Hardy said before the team’s game against Detroit Wednesday.
Los Angeles surgeon Neal ElAttrache will perform the procedure on Thursday, the Jazz said.
Kessler, in his fourth season, was known as one of the best rim protectors in the NBA; his 4.6 offensive rebounds per game early this season also stood atop the NBA. Through five games, Kessler averaged 14.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.
He was eligible for a rookie contract extension before the season, but the Jazz opted not to extend one. Now, Kessler will go into restricted free agency in the summer of 2026 with both rehab and signing a new deal on the agenda.
The Jazz, meanwhile, will have to figure out how to fill their center rotation — and shore up their defense — without Kessler.
“There are certain things that we’ve done in the past and to start this year that try to accentuate some of Walker’s strengths, and now we have to adjust and try to accentuate the strengths of the people that are in the locker room now,” Hardy said.
Jusuf Nurkic will be the team’s starting center in the short term. Veteran Kevin Love has been the team’s backup center. Kyle Filipowski could see minutes at the position, and forward Taylor Hendricks could even play as a small-ball five.
Hendricks, who suffered a season-injury last year, knows the struggles Kessler will face as a result of missing nearly a full 82-game slate.
“I know all the thoughts that come with the doctor telling you that it’s over for the season,” Hendricks said. “I definitely feel for him a lot.”
