On Monday, Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz grew to become the primary NBA rookie to file at the least 20 factors and 20 rebounds in a single sport since Gorgui Dieng in 2014.
The Utah heart can also be the primary rookie to complete a sport with a 20/20 stat line on 65% taking pictures from the sector since 1993. Plus, the 21-year-old is the primary rookie in Jazz franchise historical past to log at the least 20 factors and 20 boards in a contest.
Referring to a number of NBA betting websites, Walker Kessler and the Jazz have the eighth-lowest odds to win the championship. A few sportsbooks are displaying larger playoff odds for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Portland Path Blazers.
Walker Kessler continues to hoop this season. Tonight vs. Minnesota:
20 factors (9/13)21 rebounds2 blocks
First rookie to have a 20/20 sport since Gorgui Dieng in 2014.@utahjazz | #NBAhttps://t.co/MnuQvUdQ3k pic.twitter.com/dZalp0n8M0
— Basketball Reference (@bball_ref) January 16, 2023
In Utah’s 126-125 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, Walker Kessler completed his efficiency with 20 factors, a season-high 21 rebounds, 4 assists, and two blocks in 31 minutes of motion. He completed 9-of-13 (40.9%) taking pictures from the ground.
“I used to be solely right here for like two days, however these guys have been nothing however well mannered to me,” Kessler mentioned of being traded from the Timberwolves to the Jazz. “My grandad and my dad are from Minnesota. I’ve bought some prolonged household right here I’m going to go say hey to, but it surely was enjoyable. It was a number of enjoyable to play right here.”
Jazz heart Walker Kessler is the primary NBA rookie to file at the least 20 factors and 20 rebounds on 65% taking pictures from the sector since 1993
Minnesota followers and even informal NBA viewers at the moment are skeptical of the Rudy Gobert commerce. In July, the Timberwolves traded Kessler, Patrick Beverley (now with Lakers), Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, and 5 future first-round draft decide to the Jazz for Gobert.
Although, the three-time Defensive Participant of the 12 months has underperformed this season. Gobert’s averaging 1.3 blocks per sport, the bottom since his rookie season. He ranks seventeenth in defensive ranking (109.1). On one other topic, with Walker Kessler and breakout star Lauri Markkanen, the Jazz might nonetheless probably make the playoffs.
Walker Kessler is the primary rookie in Jazz franchise historical past to file 20+ PTS and 20+ REB in a sport.
He is additionally the primary rookie to drop 20+ PTS and 20+ REB on 65%+ taking pictures since 1993. pic.twitter.com/KswOeUU1xD
— NBA Historical past (@NBAHistory) January 16, 2023
Furthermore, by means of 43 begins of his rookie season, Walker Kessler is averaging 7.2 factors, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 19.5 minutes per sport. He’s additionally taking pictures 71.9% from the sector and 55.8% on the foul line. To not point out, the middle has recorded seven double-doubles as effectively.
“He’s proven a lot progress on each ends of the ground, however I believe protection most likely comes pure to Walker in a number of methods,” Jazz coach Will Hardy mentioned of Kessler. “His capability to be taught on the fly on the offensive finish has simply been large.”
Whereas Gobert is struggling, Kessler is shocking some Jazz followers. The No. 22 general decide of final 12 months’s draft ranks fourth in blocks per contest, third in whole blocks (85), and fifteenth in offensive rebounds (112).
