Lakers’ Walker Kessler gets 100% real on cooling off against Jazz

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Los Angeles Lakers center Lakers’ Walker Kessler gets 100% realWalker Kessler was showered with boos on his return to Delta Center on Sunday. But in the end, he had the last laugh as the Lakers beat the Jazz, 132-123, to stay undefeated at 3-0.

Luka Doncic went off for 52 points on 17-of-30 field goals, including 8-of-13 from beyond the arc. He added eight rebounds, 10 assists, and two steals.

After a hot start in his first season with the Lakers, Kessler was limited to two points on two attempts. He had seven rebounds. In a report from the Los Angeles Times’ Thuc Ngi Nguyen, the 25-year-old center admitted that he may have been too excited to face his former team.

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“I let my emotions get the best of me,” said Kessler.

“Kind of got too amped and then just couldn’t find the ball. Couldn’t find the rhythm, just kind of was off a couple fouls that were tough, a couple blocks I usually (make). It’s one of those nights. But fortunately, basketball is not a one-man sport.”

Entering the game against the Jazz, Kessler was averaging 24 points on 85.7% shooting, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 4.0 blocks.

He bolted Utah in the offseason and signed with Los Angeles for four years worth $130 million. He played four years with the Jazz, who drafted him with the No. 22 pick in 2022.

The former SEC Defensive Player of the Year will continue to play a major role for the Lakers, who have been crying for a dependable pivot since trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Doncic.

Lakers’ Walker Kessler gets 100% real

Kessler will try to bounce back on Tuesday against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Related: What Lakers’ Luka Doncic told Walker Kessler after big man’s struggles vs. Jazz

Related: Luka Doncic’s response to Kendrick Perkins after 52-point eruption goes viral