Walker Kessler’s first trip back to Utah in a Lakers uniform came with a familiar NBA sound: boos.
The Los Angeles center was introduced Sunday afternoon before the team’s road game against the Utah Jazz, and the reaction from the crowd made clear that not every fan in the building was interested in a warm reunion. The Jazz did put a “Welcome Back Walker Kessler” message on the big screen during his intro, but the reception in the arena didn’t exactly match the tone of the display.
Kessler’s return had been one of the main storylines heading into the Lakers’ first away game of the season. After forcing his way off the rebuilding Jazz and making no secret that he wanted to land with the Lakers this summer, he was moved in a sign-and-trade this offseason. Los Angeles paid a premium to get him, and so far the early return has been strong.
Mixed crowd reaction for Walker Kessler during Lakers starting lineup intros in his return to Utah 🔊
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 25, 2026
(via @jennamfink) pic.twitter.com/GqHtRFryKd
That was on display recently when Kessler went 12/12 in his first game as a Laker during a blowout win over the Golden State Warriors.
The Lakers entered Sunday at 2-0, though both of those wins came against teams that are likely not headed to the playoffs in the Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers. Utah offered another test of that same sort, and the schedule doesn’t lighten up much from there.
After the game in Utah, the Lakers are set to return home for a Tuesday evening matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers.
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