Kessler (hip) is out for Thursday's game against the Mavericks, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kessler is set for a second straight absence Thursday, and it seems the big man doesn't have a clear timetable for his return. This means John Collins and Drew Eubanks will absorb the minutes at center, with Collins likely starting in Kessler's place again. Kessler's next chance to play will come against the Kings on Saturday.

Kessler won't play Tuesday against the Suns due to right hip soreness.

EDGE Analysis

Kessler will miss his first game of the campaign Tuesday. Until he popped up on the injury report Tuesday, the Jazz had provided no indication that Kessler was bothered by the hip issue, so fantasy managers should operate under the assumption that he's day-to-day until further information is provided. With Kessler out of the lineup Tuesday, John Collins and Drew Eubanks will likely absorb all of the minutes at center.

Kessler finished with 12 points (6-7 FG, 0-2 FT), 16 rebounds, two assists and four blocks in 32 minutes during Monday's 135-126 victory over the Bulls.

EDGE Analysis

The 16 boards were Kessler's career high, surpassing the mark of 15 he set last season -- ironically, also in Chicago in November. After struggling with consistency through Utah's first four games, Kessler has found his groove with back-to-back double-doubles, totaling 30 points, 30 rebounds, nine blocks and two assists while missing just two shots from the field. Kessler's numbers could take a hit when Lauri Markkanen (back) returns, but fantasy managers are getting what they wanted out of Kessler as a whole thus far if they drafted him in season-long formats.

Kessler produced 18 points (5-6 FG, 8-12 FT), 14 rebounds and five blocks across 29 minutes during Saturday's 129-103 loss to the Nuggets.

EDGE Analysis

Kessler notched his third double-double of the season and delivered an efficient showing from the field. Even though fantasy managers could use a bit more consistency from Kessler's scoring numbers on a game-to-game basis, the third-year big man has started the campaign on a strong note. Kessler is averaging 9.7 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per contest while recording three double-doubles across six contests.

Kessler finished with 12 points (6-11 FG, 0-2 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two steals over 30 minutes during Monday's 110-102 loss to the Mavericks.

EDGE Analysis

Kessler was limited to just two points in the blowout loss to the Warriors on Oct. 25, but other than that, the big man has been excellent to start the season, posting two double-doubles in three starts. He remains an impactful player on defense as well, racking up eight blocks and three steals in those three contests.

Kessler totaled two points (1-1 FG), nine rebounds, two assists and one block in 20 minutes during Friday's 127-86 loss to the Warriors.

EDGE Analysis

Kessler was the Jazz's leading rebounder Friday, though that was about all he did in a blowout loss. Kessler had just one shot attempt and won't likely see many field-goal tries while playing alongside Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton and Keyonte George. However, Kessler will provide plenty of value on the defensive end of the floor, highlighted by his 2.4 blocks per across just 23.3 minutes per game over 64 regular-season outings (22 starts) during the 2023-24 campaign.

Kessler had 16 points (6-7 FG, 4-5 FT), 14 rebounds, one assist, five blocks and one steal over 30 minutes during Wednesday's 126-124 loss to the Grizzlies.

EDGE Analysis

Kessler was extremely efficient Wednesday and delivered a strong effort on both ends of the court, though his 14 boards and five blocks certainly stood out. He looked dominant regardless of whether he was matched against Zach Edey or Jay Huff. Kessler should be a regular double-double threat as long as he remains the starting center for the Jazz. All signs point to that being the case.

The Jazz exercised the fourth-year rookie scale option on Kessler's contract Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Kessler is now under contract through the 2025-26 season. After starting 40 games as a rookie, the big man made only 22 starts last year. He operated as a starter during the preseason, so an expanded role in Year 3 is possible, though it remains unclear if coach Will Hardy will let Kessler play 25-plus minutes a night consistently.

Kessler finished with nine points (4-4 FG, 1-2 3Pt), 15 rebounds, an assist, a steal and two blocks across 24 minutes in Thursday's 107-102 preseason win over the Mavericks.

EDGE Analysis

Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George (knee) and even John Collins delivered solid performances on the offensive end of the court, but Kessler made his presence felt defensively and on the glass, two areas in which he already stands out. It's unclear if Kessler will open the 2024-25 regular season as the starting center for the Jazz, but if that's the case, he'll add some much-needed size and rim protection to a towering Utah lineup that should also feature Markkanen and Taylor Hendricks in the first unit.

Kessler is in the starting lineup for Monday's preseason game against the Rockets, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kessler drew the start in Utah's preseason opener against the New Zealand Breakers on Friday, and the 23-year-old will do so again Monday. He'll join Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen and Taylor Hendricks in the Jazz's starting five, with John Collins presumably coming off the bench.