A 2022 defensive honor
Kessler was the NABC Defensive Player of the Year in 2022.
BasketballNBALos Angeles LakersCenter
Walker Kessler
Stats, career, game log and next gameA center for the Los Angeles Lakers who wears number 14, Walker Kessler was the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year in 2022.
201NBA games1,910points
Updated
About Walker Kessler
Walker Kessler is a center for the Los Angeles Lakers and wears number 14. Born on July 26, 2001, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, he played college basketball at North Carolina and Auburn. He was the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year in 2022.
Agatha Research DeskUpdated Oct 5, 2026Season by season201
Every season, every NBA game in our records, newest season first.
| Season | Team | Games | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 |  UTAH | 5 | 14.4 | 10.8 | 3.0 | 70.3 | 72 |
| 2024-25 | UTAH | 58 | 11.1 | 12.2 | 1.7 | 66.3 | 641 |
| 2023-24 | UTAH | 64 | 8.1 | 7.5 | 0.9 | 65.4 | 518 |
| 2022-23 | UTAH | 74 | 9.2 | 8.4 | 0.9 | 72.0 | 679 |
| Career | 201 | 9.5 | 9.3 | 1.2 | 68.1 | 1,910 |
How he is doing now
2025-26 season14.4 ppg10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists a game, 5 games
Last game4 pts13 reb, 1 ast, Oct 31 at Suns
Injury status
Day-To-Day arm (5h ago)
Next game
Kessler against the Warriors7 games, 8.0 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists a game
Last met Feb 5, 2025.
Did you know?!
A 31-point game
Kessler had 31 points, 11 rebounds and 2 assists on Mar 25, 2023, in a 121-113 loss to the Sacramento Kings.
All-Rookie First Team
Kessler was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2022.
Career
4years2022 to 2025
- 2022NBA debut123-102 win vs Nuggets
- 202331-point game31 pts, 11 reb, 2 ast, vs Kings
- 2024-25Best season11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists a game in 58 games
- Oct 31, 2025Latest game4 pts, 13 reb, 1 ast at Suns
Honors
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (2022)
- Naismith Defensive Player of the Year (2022)
- NABC Defensive Player of the Year (2022)
- Mr. Georgia Basketball (2020)
Regular season
201 games
9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists a game
First NBA game
Oct 19, 2022: 12 pts, 10 reb, 1 astUTAH 123, Nuggets 102
Latest game
Oct 31, 2025: 4 pts, 13 reb, 1 astSuns 118, UTAH 96
Most often against
The teams he has faced most, with his teams' record and his line against each.
Minnesota Timberwolves11 games
3-8his teams
His line: 8.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists a game
Last met Mar 16, 2025
Sacramento Kings11 games
1-10his teams
His line: 10.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists a game
Last met Oct 24, 2025
Phoenix Suns10 games
2-8his teams
His line: 11.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists a game
Last met Oct 31, 2025
San Antonio Spurs10 games
5-5his teams
His line: 7.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists a game
Last met Nov 26, 2024
Dallas Mavericks9 games
2-7his teams
His line: 10.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists a game
Last met Nov 30, 2024
Houston Rockets9 games
3-6his teams
His line: 6.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists a game
Last met Apr 2, 2025
Injury history
ESPN's injury reports, newest first.
- Oct 5, 2026Day-To-Day Arm
Kessler (rest) won't suit up for Monday's exhibition against the Kings, Khobi Price of The California Post reports.
ESPN / LAL
Sources and updates
Stats, scores and injury reports come from Agatha's own records: ESPN box scores and ESPN's injury reports.
Updated Oct 6, 2026, 12:45 AM ET. Results and form refresh after every game; biography facts are checked weekly.