Overview
- The Lakers’ season opener on Wednesday, Oct. 21, ended in a 127-105 win over the Golden State Warriors after Walker Kessler scored 26 points on a perfect 12-for-12 from the field with nine rebounds and two blocks.
- Eleven of Kessler’s 12 made shots were assisted and five came directly from Luka Dončić, a stat that underlined immediate pick‑and‑roll and lob chemistry with Dončić and playmaking support from Austin Reaves.
- Kessler recorded 10 dunks, the most by a Laker in a game since Shaquille O’Neal in 2003, and broadcasters including O’Neal lavished praise on the performance and offered a playful nickname that amplified national attention.
- Los Angeles acquired Kessler in July via a sign‑and‑trade with Utah that cost two first‑round picks and two first‑round pick swaps and signed him to a four‑year deal reported at about $129.5–$130 million.
- Kessler’s season‑ending shoulder surgery last year and prior missed games temper the takeaway from one strong outing, leaving availability and whether the trade’s draft‑pick cost will be justified as the primary things to watch next.