Walker Kessler is thriving after two games with the Los Angeles Lakers and will get a chance to show off his form against his former team, the Utah Jazz, on Sunday at Salt Lake City.
A shakeup in the starting lineup got the Jazz in the win column Friday and may prove beneficial going forward as Utah continues to search for a flow following Kessler’s departure.
The Jazz edged the New Orleans Pelicans 120-119 on Friday after Jaxson Hayes gave the Jazz a spark off the bench. Hayes, who played for the Lakers the past three seasons, started Utah’s season-opening loss at Memphis on Wednesday before moving to the second unit against the Pelicans.
Hayes scored 17 points with five rebounds in 26 minutes and defended the rim well while hitting big baskets to key a fourth-quarter rally.
“I think Jaxson at the five creates a different set of matchups for us offensively, which will maybe have us see a few different coverages, potentially give us some more space with that first group,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said.
Utah did struggle to play a consistent 48 minutes. A poor third quarter nearly doomed the effort as the Jazz blew a 15-point lead while committing eight turnovers and seven fouls in the period. The Pelicans also shot 60.9% from the floor in the third quarter.
Jaren Jackson Jr., who finished with a team-high 24 points and 10 rebounds, stepped up in the fourth quarter along with Hayes to prevent an 0-2 start.
Now comes the reunion with Kessler after the Jazz dealt the big man to Los Angeles over the summer in exchange for a pair of unprotected first-round draft picks and two first-round pick swaps.
It was a steep price tag for Kessler, who played only five games last season because of a shoulder injury. The Lakers saw him as an essential component of their future as they sought to retool their roster around Luka Doncic after LeBron James’ departure.
So far, Kessler has lived up to expectations.
Kessler has averaged 24 points on 84.6% shooting, 8.5 rebounds, and four blocks in his first two games with the Lakers. He had 22 points, six blocks, and three steals to help lead the Lakers to a 125-117 victory over the Clippers — their ninth win in 13 meetings with their crosstown rivals.
Kessler became the eighth Laker player all time to tally six blocks and three steals in a single game.
“It’s kind of crazy that there have been seven guys who have done it before,” Kessler said. “I know there’s some absolute legends in the Lakers franchise — definitely an honor.”
The Lakers pulled away from the Clippers in the third quarter after a tight first half due to Kessler’s defensive dominance.
“(He) really was a huge spark for us getting this win,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said. “There were multiple times where it felt like they had a layup and he either came over and blocked the shot or created an altered shot.”
Los Angeles swept the season series against Utah last season by winning all four games. The Lakers are 7-1 against the Jazz over the past two seasons.
