The Los Angeles Lakers may have finally found the missing piece they've been searching for in their frontcourt.
After missing the team's first three preseason games, Walker Kessler made his highly anticipated Lakers debut Tuesday night against the Golden State Warriors, providing an encouraging glimpse of what he could bring to Los Angeles this season.
Although the Lakers suffered a 101-89 loss in Las Vegas, Kessler's performance offered plenty of reasons for optimism.
The 25-year-old center finished with 11 points, nine rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in just 16 minutes. He shot 4-of-6 from the field and made an immediate impact on both ends of the floor.
Perhaps the most impressive statistic was how Los Angeles performed with Kessler in the lineup.
The Lakers outscored Golden State by 15 points during his 16 minutes on the court. Without him, the Warriors outscored Los Angeles by 27.
Following the game, Kessler admitted that returning to action after such a lengthy absence came with some nerves.
"It was a lot of fun being out there again," Kessler said. "It's been so long. Before the game I was actually pretty nervous, to be honest."
Kessler had not appeared in an NBA game in 347 days after suffering a torn labrum in his left shoulder that required season-ending surgery in November 2025. His Lakers debut was further delayed when he injured his left pinkie finger during training camp, forcing him to miss the team's first three preseason contests.
However, Tuesday's performance suggested that the extended absence had not prevented him from making an immediate contribution.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick was particularly encouraged by what he saw from his new center.
"I think he's a great fit for our team," Redick said. "Thought he did a nice job of running the floor, crashing, had some terrific rebounds in traffic, protected the rim. Just really, really good first half from him."
Redick's comments reflect the expectations surrounding Kessler after LA made a significant investment to acquire him during the offseason. The Lakers sent two unprotected first-round picks and two future pick swaps to the Utah Jazz before signing Kessler to a four-year, $130 million contract.
The Lakers brought in Kessler to address one of their biggest weaknesses: the lack of a consistent presence in the paint.
Standing 7-foot-2, Kessler gives LA a much-needed rim protector and rebounder while providing another offensive option around the basket. His ability to finish at the rim could be especially valuable alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, two players who excel at creating scoring opportunities for their teammates.
Although Doncic did not play Tuesday, Kessler showed early signs of chemistry with Reaves, who finished with 28 points and seven assists.
Reaves explained that Kessler's movement toward the basket created additional opportunities for teammates, even when the center wasn't directly involved in scoring.
"I mean he created probably four or five really good looks for us from 3 by just rolling hard," Reaves said.
That ability to draw defenders toward the basket could become an important part of the Lakers' offense, particularly with Doncic and Reaves capable of creating scoring opportunities off the dribble.
But Kessler's value extends well beyond offense.
His rebounding and rim protection could address defensive concerns that have followed Los Angeles in recent seasons.
Redick has already established a clear expectation for his new center, emphasizing the importance of consistently playing with energy and physicality.
"The word I've used with him, the challenge, is just being relentless," Redick said.
It's a message Kessler has embraced as he prepares for his first season in Los Angeles.
"JJ and I talked, and that's kind of what we came up with this year: 'relentless,'" Kessler said.
For the Lakers, maintaining that approach throughout an entire game will be essential.
Tuesday's loss demonstrated why.
Los Angeles led Golden State 63-50 at halftime and eventually built a 20-point advantage before struggling in the second half. With Kessler finished for the night, the Lakers were outscored 51-26 over the final two quarters.
Golden State also took advantage of LA's' struggles on the glass. The Warriors collected just two offensive rebounds in the first half but grabbed 13 after halftime, an issue Redick acknowledged following the game.
"That's an area of concern through four preseason games," Redick said. "We have to do a better job rebounding, whether [Kessler] is on the floor or not."
The Lakers also committed 18 turnovers in the second half, allowing Golden State to erase the deficit and secure the victory. Those struggles highlight the challenges Los Angeles still faces as it prepares for the regular season.
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While Kessler's debut was encouraging, the Lakers cannot depend on one player to solve every problem surrounding their interior defense and rebounding. They will also need to develop chemistry between Kessler, Doncic and Reaves, a trio that has yet to share the floor in preseason action.
Los Angeles has another opportunity to make progress Friday against the Denver Nuggets before opening the regular season against Golden State on Oct. 22.
One preseason performance won't answer every question surrounding the Lakers' championship aspirations. However, Kessler's debut offered an early indication that LA may have addressed one of its most important needs.
His ability to protect the rim, control the glass and create opportunities for teammates gives the Lakers a different dimension on both ends of the floor.
And if Kessler can consistently provide the energy and production he displayed against Golden State, Los Angeles may have found a player capable of making a significant impact in its new era.