RECAP: Walker Kessler Shines in Historic Lakers Debut, Win Over Warriors, 127-105
The Lakers open up the season with their third-largest opening day victory in franchise history, defeating the Warriors, 127-105.
The first game of the season typically hasn’t been kind to the Lakers. They won just their 2nd opening day game in the last 10 years, the other being against Minnesota in 2024.
There was a lot to be excited about when watching the new team play their first regular season game together.
Luka Doncic led the team in scoring with 28 points to go along with 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals. Austin Reaves scored 23 points on 6-for-11 shooting and had 6 assists and 2 steals.
Walker’s Dominant Performance
Then of course there’s Walker Kessler, who in his first official game as a Laker, recorded 10 dunks in last night’s game, the most by a Laker since Shaq in 2003. He also didn’t miss a single field goal, going 12 for 12, a feat that hasn’t been achieved by a Laker since Wilt Chamberlain.
In 30 minutes, he scored 26 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 12-for-12 from the field. An incredible display of dominance by the big man. A lot of talk had been made over the summer about whether the Lakers gave up too much for Kessler, or whether he could be that established cornerstone piece for the Lakers for the foreseeable future.
Now it has only been just one game. However, what we saw last night is but a glimpse at Kessler’s potential playing next to Luka and Austin. Kessler isn’t the focus of the Lakers offense. He’s primarily focusing on anchoring the defense, similar to what Anthony Davis was in LA. Though the difference now is that Kessler does not have to carry the heavy offensive burden that Davis did.
Because Luka and Austin are such incredible offensive threats, that leverages their ability to exploit holes in the defense and feed Kessler with easy lobs and passes in the paint, which is exactly what we saw last night against Golden State.
Kessler will only grow more and more comfortable in his role, and the offense will only become more polished as the season goes on.
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