Is walker kessler playing tonight

As of Thursday, October 22, 2026, the Utah Jazz have officially listed center Walker Kessler as available for tonight’s season-opening matchup against the Sacramento Kings. Following a productive preseason where Kessler demonstrated improved offensive versatility and maintained his status as a premier rim protector, the coaching staff confirmed that he will be in the starting lineup. There were minor concerns earlier in the week regarding a lingering ankle tweak sustained during the final days of training camp, but medical staff cleared him for full participation after he successfully completed Wednesday’s practice session without setbacks. Kessler is expected to anchor the defense and play significant minutes as the Jazz look to establish a physical presence in the paint against the Kings' frontcourt. Fans can expect him to be a focal point in the team's defensive schemes throughout the contest. His availability is a major boost for Utah as they begin their 2026-2027 campaign, providing stability in the middle as the team integrates several new rotational pieces into their system.