<p>Walker Kessler won't play another game this season. The Utah Jazz announced Wednesday that their starting center will undergo surgery to repair a left shoulder labral tear, ending what had been a promising start to his campaign.</p> <p>Dr. Neal ElAttrache will perform the procedure Thursday in Los Angeles. The Jazz haven't provided a specific recovery timeline, but the injury will keep Kessler sidelined for the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA season.</p> <p>Talk about brutal timing. Kessler was putting together the best stretch of his young career before the injury struck.</p> <h2>What Were Kessler's Numbers Before the Injury?</h2> <p>The 23-year-old was on fire through five games this season. He averaged 14.4 points on a scorching 70.3% shooting from the field, along with 10.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.</p> <p>Kessler had added a legitimate three-point shot to his arsenal, connecting on 6 of 8 attempts from beyond the arc. That's a massive development for a player who'd made just 11 of 56 threes in his first three NBA seasons.</p> <h2>How Did Kessler Start the Season?</h2> <p>His season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers set the tone. Kessler dropped 22 points on perfect 7-for-7 shooting, grabbed nine rebounds and swatted four shots in a Jazz victory.</p> <p>Two games later against the Phoenix Suns, he went for 25 points and 11 rebounds. Those numbers don't lie – Kessler was playing at an All-Star level before the injury derailed everything.</p> <h2>What Does This Mean for the Jazz?</h2> <p>Utah loses its most efficient scorer and best rim protector for the entire season. Kessler's 70.3% shooting percentage led the team, and his rebounding and shot-blocking were critical to their defensive identity.</p> <p>The Jazz will need to reshuffle their frontcourt rotation immediately. Finding someone who can replicate Kessler's two-way impact won't be easy, especially given how well he was shooting the ball.</p> <h2>Can Kessler Bounce Back Next Season?</h2> <p>Labral tears are serious injuries, but they're not career-threatening with proper rehabilitation. The fact that Dr. ElAttrache is performing the surgery is a positive – he's one of the most respected orthopaedic surgeons in sports medicine.</p> <p>Kessler will have the entire off-season to recover and prepare for 2026-27. At 23, he's got plenty of time to build on what he showed in those five games this year.</p> <p>The Jazz faithful will be hoping their young center comes back stronger. Based on what he displayed before the injury, that's not an unrealistic expectation.</p>