Walker Kessler

Over a four-and-a-half minute span to close the final quarter of February 28, 2025’s game, the Utah Jazz’s offense could muster only a single field goal. In some unorthodox blend of both irony and fortune, it turned out to be the only bucket they needed to fend off the Minnesota Timberwolves. Hero of it all, Walker Kessler begins his memorable sequence innocently, stationing around the rim, as his teammates put pressure on the Wolves’ top-ranked defense with a downhill drive. On high alert for the heads-up dime headed his way, Salt Lake City’s ascending third-year big sprinkles a game-winner on his highlight reel, powering home a go-ahead jam in the final 10 seconds. Prompting roof-blowing celebrations soon thereafter, Kessler’s crunchtime demonstration went well-supported by a healthy box score, as he contributed nine points (on four-of-seven shooting), 13 rebounds, one steal, two blocks, and a +23 plus-minus in just 25 minutes.