Walker Kessler

Markanen missed Friday's game but is back in the starting lineup Sunday against Sacramento. Svi Mykhailiuk will head back to the bench. Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, John Collins, and Walker Kessler complete the Jazz starting five.

Kessler had a huge game on the boards as he pulled down 17 rebounds, including six on the offensive end. The double-double machine also added five blocks to his stat line in this one. The 23-year-old is a top-50 player in fantasy this year after a down year last year.

With Lauri Markkanen (back) being a late scratch, Mykhailiuk has been tabbed to fill the void. Svi can provide points and 3-pointers in this role, and the start makes him a worthwhile streamer in deep leagues. Brice Sensabaugh and Johnny Juzang should also figure prominently in the rotation with Markkanen sidelined. Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, John Collins, and Walker Kessler complete the starting quintet.

Ayton was Portland's leading scorer in this game, but that was about the only thing he did well. His three rebounds in 33 minutes were a new season-low, and that is way below his season average of 9.8 boards. The Blazers' next two games are against the Jazz and Lakers, and matchups with Walker Kessler and Anthony Davis aren't going to be easier for Ayton. The buckets should continue to come consistently, but he'll need to do more to make the fantasy impact that he's capable of.

Kessler's improved play is one of the few positives for the Jazz this season. He's back to providing top-50 fantasy value after a rough 2023-24 campaign. Given his youth and where the Jazz are in their rebuild, Kessler should be safe from a shutdown later in the season. Utah plays two more games during the first segment of Week 7, which spans two weeks in Yahoo leagues.