SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz Center Walker Kessler showed some touch with a nice reverse layup in Utah’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Walker Kessler scores on reverse layup
The Jazz hosted the Hawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah on Friday, March 15.
With 11:36 remaining in the first half, the Auburn product received a pass under the basket from Talen Horton-Tucker. After a little pump fake, Kessler made his way under the hoop before scoring on a reverse layup.
Kessler’s basket gave the Jazz a 36-28 lead.
a little ???????????????????????? ???????????????? for your Friday night, courtesy of the big guy ???? pic.twitter.com/x01DU314D9
-Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 16, 2024
In his first 10 minutes on the court, Kessler scored four points on 2-3 shooting. He added three rebounds, a steal and a block.
This season, Kessler is averaging 8.3 points per game on 64.4 percent shooting.
Utah’s game against Atlanta is broadcast on KJZZ, Jazz+NBA TV, KSL sports area (97.5FM), KSLSports.comand the KSL Sports app.
LISTEN LIVE: @utahjazz welcome to Quin Snyder and @ATLHawks at the Delta Center on @kslsports application, @KSLSportsZoneAnd:https://t.co/hnMAUihMep pic.twitter.com/OrtryjVazB
– KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 16, 2024
Hawks vs. Jazz
Quin Snyder returns to Utah
Quin Snyder will make his first return to Utah to face the Jazz as head coach of the Atlanta Hawks.
RELATED: Hawks spoil John Collins’ return in Jazz loss
Snyder coached the Jazz between 2014 and 2022.
In eight seasons with the Jazz, Snyder had a 372-264 record as Utah’s head coach, the second most wins by a coach in franchise history.
I always look forward to welcoming a familiar face back ????#Take note pic.twitter.com/6YjUe9943U
-Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 15, 2024
Hendricks returns to coaching for Jazz
After missing the team’s last three games, Taylor Hendricks was back at Jazz practice on Wednesday.
The rookie suffered a sprained toe during the team’s March 4 win over the Washington Wizards and has not seen the floor since.
Lauri Markkanen has missed the team’s last four games with a quadriceps contusion.
The forward participated in parts of practice, while veteran guard Jordan Clarkson missed Wednesday’s practice with a groin strain.
Quin Snyder and Hawks ahead of Jazz in the standings
Friday’s game could have a major impact on the outcome of the Jazz’s 2024 first-round pick.
The Jazz’s pick is protected in the top ten, but belongs to the Oklahoma City Thunder if they end up selecting 11th or later.
The A takes Salt Lake
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⏰ 9:30 p.m. ET
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????️ @929LeJeu pic.twitter.com/vEdckEESTz– Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 15, 2024
Currently, the Jazz own the ninth-worst record in the NBA and have about a 97 percent chance of retaining the pick.
The Hawks are one game ahead of the Jazz for the tenth worst record in the league. With a victory, the Jazz would tie with Atlanta at 29-37.
If the Jazz finished with the 10th worst record in the NBA, their probability of retaining the pick would drop to just over 80 percent.
Kyle Ireland is an NFL Insider sports and local producer for KSLSports.com. Listen to Ireland on Yards After College: An NFL Podcast. Follow him on@kyleireland), the sons (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
