Jazz's Walker Kessler to miss at least 2 weeks with elbow sprain

Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

INDIANAPOLIS — Utah Jazz starting center Walker Kessler will be out at least two weeks with a ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) sprain in his left elbow, the team announced Wednesday.

The injury was sustained during Utah's opener against the Sacramento on Oct. 25, and was discovered after Kessler continued through discomfort. The Jazz said rest with non-contact activities has been recommended in order to accelerate Kessler's recovery, and he will be reevaluated in two weeks. That will mean he will miss — starting with Wednesday's game against the Pacers — at least six games.

Kessler has averaged 8.3 points and 7.9 rebounds through Utah's first eight games, but has struggled — potentially due to that injury — to get going during his sophomore season.

Kessler, who was named one of the NBA's top 25 players under 25 by ESPN this week, has scored less than 5 points in four of the eight games. He's also had four games where he's recorded five or less rebounds.

The 22-year-old big man, however, had one of his best games of the season Monday, where he had 15 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks in Utah's loss to Chicago.

Ahead of that game, he talked about how the struggles have allowed him to learn — and learn a lot.

"I like watching film. Watching myself do bad, I'm like, 'Ah, come on!' but it's necessary," Kessler said. "The best way to learn is through mistakes. You don't learn a lot when you do well."

Unfortunately for Kessler, that learning curve will now come without game reps for at least the next handful of games.

In place of Kessler, the Jazz could slide in Kelly Olynyk into the starting center role, or choose to go to a smaller lineup and insert second-year wing Ochai Agbaji into the starting frontcourt next to Lauri Markkanen and John Collins.