Walker

Kessler

The veteran center will return from a one-game absence to face the Knicks on Friday. He’s served as Utah’s starting center since Walker Kessler (shoulder) was lost for the season. Nurkić isn’t a high-end fantasy option but has double-double capabilities on a nightly basis. His return could send Kyle Filipowski back to the bench.

Nurkić flirted with a double-double for the second straight game against the Rockets. On the second night of a back-to-back, he was productive inside the arc as a scorer and set a new season-high in points before fouling out of the contest. Nurkic has filled in the starting unit nicely in place of the injured Walker Kessler (shoulder). He’s got double-double potential on a nightly basis in this new role.

After not appearing in Utah’s first five games, Love has hit double figures in minutes in each of his last three appearances. He was productive against the Bulls, hitting double figures and finishing two rebounds shy of a double-double. Love is not in a position where he needs to be considered for any fantasy roster, even after Walker Kessler was ruled out for the remainder of the season. Managers needing production are better off gambling on Jusuf Nurkić, who tallied four points, 14 rebounds, five assists, three steals and one blocked shot in 38 minutes.

Kessler is set to undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. This is a massive blow for the Jazz, who have started the season out better than expected, but it’s also unfortunate for Kessler since he didn’t get an extension this summer. Jusuf Nurkic has been starting in place of Kessler, but it wouldn’t be surprising if they turned to Kyle Filipowski as a long-term replacement, assuming they don’t explore the trade market.

Nurkić remained in the starting lineup in place of Walker Kessler (shoulder) for a second straight game, and Kessler is set to miss at least two more games. Nurk’s first start was disappointing, but a double-double in 31minutes is intriguing. With two more starts this week, Nurkić is worth considering as a streaming option, and he is currently available in roughly 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Kessler, who missed time during the preseason with left shoulder bursitis, experienced a flare-up and was already ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Hornets. With the Jazz sending him back to Salt Lake City for further testing, the 7-footer will miss at least three more games. Utah’s road trip ends in Minnesota on Friday. Jusuf Nurkić will start Sunday’s game against the Hornets and will likely retain that role for the remaining three games of the road trip.

Kessler is once again dealing with left shoulder bursitis, which sidelined him for a portion of the preseason. Jusuf Nurkić is a prime candidate to replace him in the starting lineup, but the veteran center’s streaming value will be limited with Lauri Markkanen on the court.

While Kessler did his usual work on the glass Friday night, his offensive production was underwhelming. He’s had two offensive duds, the first being a three-point effort against the Kings on October 24. The good news is that Kessler scored 18 or more in his other three outings, taking tangible steps forward on that end of the floor. He didn’t get the contract extension he wanted before the season began, but things could get expensive for the Jazz next summer if Kessler can build on his first five games.

Is Kessler going through a Brook Lopez-like transformation right before our eyes? Probably not, but the increased confidence in his perimeter shot has been great to see. On Wednesday, Kessler shot 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and is 6-of-8 on the season. In 2024-25, he shot 6-of-34 from deep and entered this season 11-of-56. Add in the points, rebounds, defensive stats and improved assists, and Kessler has been a top-15 player in nine-cat formats thus far. Will he remain there? Who knows. However, with the improved perimeter shot, his ceiling may be higher than many fantasy managers imagined.

After a quiet performance in the Jazz’s loss to the Kings on Friday, Kessler bounced back with a monster night. Through three games, he is now averaging 16.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals, 2.7 blocks and 1.0 triple per game while shooting 85 percent from the floor and 76.5 percent from the line. Rebounds aside, those would all be career highs. Will this level of production continue? No, but it’s been an amazing start for him.