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SALT LAKE CITY — For Walker Kessler, his first game back at Delta Center was an emotional one.
And he admitted he let those same emotions get the best of him leading into the Lakers’ comeback victory over the Jazz on Sunday.
Kessler was coming off of looking like one of the best big men in the league after the first two games of the season, entering the matchup against the Jazz with averages of 24 points (84% shooting), 8.5 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.
But the 7-foot-2 center had a dud in his first game against his former team, finishing with more fouls (four) than points (two) in 28 minutes.
He grabbed seven rebounds, but shot just 1-of-2 from the field and didn’t provide his usual rim protection, finishing with just one blocked shot.
“Definitely let my emotions get the best of me,” Kessler said. “But you gotta learn those moments and move on.”
Luckily for the big man, his teammates picked up the slack, with Luka Doncic leading the Lakers with 52 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds en route to a victory.
Austin Reaves chipped in an efficient 29 points on 7-of-12 shooting (11-of-13 on free throws), with the Lakers having five players score in double figures.
“I’m just glad we got the win,” Kessler said. “I mean, I’ve got a lot of thanks to give to my teammates, I mean, all of them. They all played their roles and did a great job, even though it wasn’t my best night. So I really, really appreciated them.”
The No. 22 pick in the 2022 NBA draft spent the first four seasons of his NBA career with the Jazz.
He was an integral part of the team’s rebuild after the franchise traded All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell to the Cavaliers during the 2022 offseason before the Lakers acquired him via sign-and-trade from the Jazz in July.
The transaction included a four-year, $130 million contract for Kessler, with the Lakers sending the Jazz unprotected first-round draft picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030.
The former Auburn Tiger could feel the emotions take over as he was arriving to the arena he used to call home.
“Obviously Utah was the first four years of my career,” Kessler said. “It’s a special place for me. Kind of jumpstarted my career, a lot of good memories. Just letting my emotions get the best of me and kind of hype myself up more than I usually do and 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. I’ve got really good teammates and I’m very thankful.”
Despite Kessler’s subpar performance, the Lakers moved to 3-0 on the season after coming back from down 18 points.
“He didn’t have the best game,” Reaves said. “But for him to not have a good game and us still get a win shows the versatility of our team.”
Kessler was glad to get his first game back in Utah out of the way this early in the season.
“I knew I’d have some emotions naturally just because it’s my first place I ever played,” he said. “But yeah, definitely good to get out of the way and be excited for next time we play them.”