Walker Kessler delivers in debut as Lakers punish Warriors on opening night

LOS ANGELES — Walker Kessler had talked about the expectations of playing center for the Los Angeles Lakers. On Wednesday, he finally got to experience it.

The nerves came before tipoff. A big Lakers debut followed.

Kessler scored 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds in his regular-season Lakers debut, helping L.A. beat the Golden State Warriors 127-105 on opening night.

Alongside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, he gave the Lakers an immediate look at how productive their new core could be.

Dončić finished with a game-high 28 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, while Reaves added 23 points and six assists. The trio’s combined 77 points helped L.A. turn a close first quarter into a comfortable win, with the lead reaching 35 in the fourth.

Kessler, Dončić and Reaves supplied 27 of the Lakers’ 34 first-quarter points. That production helped offset Stephen Curry’s fast start, as he scored 16 of Golden State’s first 21 points.

Curry scored seven points the rest of the way, finishing with 23 in 21 minutes.

THE SWING

L.A. led 34-33 after the first quarter before taking control in the second, outscoring Golden State 32-19 to enter halftime ahead 66-52.

Dončić helped drive that stretch while trading words with Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. Lendeborg picked up a technical foul and multiple fouls against Dončić, who punctuated the half with a buzzer-beater that brought the crowd to its feet.

Dončić followed the basket with more words toward Lendeborg, closing a quarter in which the Lakers established control.

The advantage grew to 32 in the third quarter before reaching its largest margin, 35, in the fourth. After Golden State stayed close through the opening period, L.A. created enough separation in the second half to let Dončić rest the entire fourth quarter.

THE DIFFERENCE-MAKER

Dončić was work class, but Kessler had probably one of the best Lakers debuts we have seen. 

He finished a perfect 12 for 12 from the field, with 11 baskets coming on dunks, including mostly alley-oop finishes. His production around the rim gave the Lakers a third scoring threat alongside their starting guards.

“I definitely was a little nervous going into the game. Just so thankful and so grateful for how it went,” Kessler said.

Coach JJ Redick had discussed the expectations of being a Lakers center with Kessler before the season. His debut offered an encouraging first response.

“I think it's a big deal when it's your first game as a Laker,” Redick said. “We've had conversations; he understands what this is and the pressures that come with it. I think it was a good opening statement for him.”

For a core that shared limited time together during the preseason, Kessler’s efficient finishing provided something to build on.

“That's just the first game,” Dončić said. “I think our ceiling is even higher.”

Important Notes

Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle starting alongside Dončić, Reaves and Kessler. Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili were the notable first substitutes of the game.

Jake LaRavia rolled his ankle in the fourth quarter and remained down in pain before receiving assistance. He later walked to the locker room under his own power. There is no update on his injury.

WHERE THEY STAND

The Lakers opened the season 1-0 to start the new era with tons of excitement surrounding this new-look team. 

UP NEXT

The Lakers host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday for Game 2 of the season.