Lakers vs Jazz: Kessler returns as unbeaten LA visits Utah
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- The Lakers visit the Jazz on Sunday, October 25, at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
- Walker Kessler faces his old team for the first time since the trade.
- The Lakers are 2-0 this season, while the Jazz are 1-1 after two games.
The Los Angeles Lakers play the Utah Jazz on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The game starts at 5:00 PM Eastern Time at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. That is 2:00 AM Pakistan Time on Monday, October 26.
The big story is Walker Kessler. He returns to Utah for the first time since the offseason trade.
He spent four seasons with the Jazz before the trade.
What happened so far
The Lakers have won both of their games this season. They beat the Golden State Warriors 127-105 in their opener. Then they beat the LA Clippers 125-117 in their next game.
Those two wins give the Lakers 126 points per game on average. Luka Doncic leads the team in scoring with 25.5 points per game. Austin Reaves runs the offense with 7.5 assists per game.
The Jazz have split their first two games. They lost their opener 123-103 at Memphis. Then they won their home opener 120-119 over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Keyonte George leads Utah in scoring with 20.5 points per game. He also leads the team with 7.5 assists per game. Lauri Markkanen leads Utah in rebounds with 7.5 per game.
Last season, the Lakers won all four games against the Jazz. The last meeting ended 131-107 for Los Angeles on April 12. That game was the final game of the regular season for both teams.
Why Kessler's return matters
Kessler has started the season in fine form for Los Angeles. He scored 26 points against Golden State on 12-of-12 shooting. Then he scored 22 points against the Clippers and blocked six shots.
His averages now stand at 24.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. He links up well with Doncic and Reaves on lobs near the rim. Kessler's Lakers preseason debut already hinted at this fit.
Utah will miss its center depth in this matchup. Jusuf Nurkic is ruled out with a foot injury, according to the injury report.
That leaves Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jaxson Hayes to cover the center minutes.
Jackson Jr. is a strong shot blocker, but he must stay out of foul trouble. He fouled out of the season opener in 28 minutes.
If Utah's big men pick up fouls, Kessler will find more room near the rim.
Utah also has young talent to test against a strong team. Darryn Peterson was the No. 2 overall pick in the draft.
He joins Markkanen and Jackson Jr. in a young core.
Utah closed the preseason with a win over Phoenix. The Jazz now want a first home statement win.
The Lakers have one clear weakness so far. They have turned the ball over too much in both wins.
They gave the ball away 21 times against the Clippers and still won by eight points. Utah does not force many turnovers, so that weakness may matter less here.
Who is out
Both teams have injury news before tipoff. For Utah, Nurkic is out with his foot injury. Guard Trey Alexander is also out with a left knee bruise.
For Los Angeles, guard Cameron Carr is out with a right oblique strain. Forward Adou Thiero is out with left knee inflammation. Jake LaRavia has been cleared after missing time with a sprained ankle.
None of the Lakers absences touch the core of the team. Doncic, Reaves, and Kessler are all set to play normal minutes. The Jazz have no other players on the injury report.
How to watch
The game is not on national television in the United States. In the Lakers market, it airs on Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum SportsNet+. In Utah, it airs on KJZZ and the team's Jazz+ service.
Fans can also stream the game on NBA League Pass. The game starts at 3:00 PM local time in Salt Lake City. It starts at 2:00 PM on the West Coast.
Oddsmakers list the Lakers as 6.5-point favorites for the game. The total points line sits at 237.5. Those numbers reflect the Lakers' strong start and Utah's shaky defense so far.
What happens next
This game is a good early test for both teams. The Lakers want to stay unbeaten on their first road trip of the season. A win would keep them perfect at 3-0 and build on two strong home wins.
The Jazz want to show they can hang with a top Western Conference team. A win would lift them to 2-1 and give their young group real belief. A loss would still teach them where they stand after three games.
The regular season rolls on after Sunday for both clubs. The NBA season opened last week, and each team now faces a long run of games. For now, all eyes are on Kessler and his first night back in Utah.
Related stories
Why Is Altitude Sickness Worse for Some People?
Altitude sickness hits some people harder because of genetics, ascent speed, and prior history, not fitness level. Here is what raises risk
Why Do You Get Blisters When Hiking and How to Prevent Them
Friction plus moisture plus heat equals a blister. Learn why hiking breeds all three, and the boots, socks, and tape system that keeps
How to choose hiking boots for beginners: fit, features, and break-in
Beginners should buy for fit first: snug everywhere, tight nowhere, with a thumb's width at the toes. Here is how to size, test,