Lakers’ New Big 3 Dominate Warriors in Season Opener

The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off their new era in style, and boy, did they make a statement! Starting off on the right foot is crucial for a team loaded with fresh faces, and the Lakers, led by coach J.J. Redick, couldn’t have scripted a better opening night. They snagged a dominant victory over the Golden State Warriors, finishing 127-105, and seamlessly integrated their new trio of stars into the mix.

The Lakers’ big gamble this summer—Walker Kessler—was particularly impressive. Coming into this season, expectations were high, and while we already knew Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were going to thrive in their roles, the on-court confirmation was still necessary. Spoiler alert: Kessler came to play!

Kessler’s Debut: A Perfect Performance

In his first game with the Lakers, Kessler showed he’s the big man they desperately needed. With top-tier playmakers in Doncic and Reaves, not having a strong finisher down low would have been like throwing away a golden opportunity. But Kessler made sure he capitalized on every chance he got, hitting all 12 of his shots from the field without a single miss!

Yes, you read that right—Kessler went 12-for-12 in his debut, throwing down 10 dunks, the most by a Laker since Shaquille O’Neal in 2003. Talk about making a bang!

Dominance in the Paint

Whether he was rolling off the pick, positioning himself in the paint, or sprinting down the court as a trailer in transition, every opportunity Kessler received, he finished strong at the rim. It certainly helped that 10 of his 12 attempts were slams, showcasing his athleticism and awareness of positioning. The combination of exceptional passing from his teammates and the Warriors’ lack of height merely added to the ease of his scoring.

Kessler’s flawless performance marked him as the first Lakers player to achieve a 12-for-12 shooting night since the legendary Wilt Chamberlain did it back in 1969. He’s also the first to rack up 10 dunks in a game since O’Neal, signaling that this rookie might just be the next big thing in L.A.

Supporting Stars Light It Up

But Kessler wasn’t the only one shining bright. Doncic and Reaves both eclipsed the 20-point mark, with 28 and 23 points, respectively, leading a Lakers team that fired on all cylinders. After a blistering 17-4 run to close the second quarter, the Lakers found themselves up by 14 at halftime. They didn’t let up after the break, widening the gap to 35 points with pure dominance on both ends of the court.

As for the Warriors? They weren’t exactly putting up a fierce fight. With a star-studded list of absences and Stephen Curry, who had 23 points in only 21 minutes, being their only bright spot, the early signs are concerning for Golden State. If this game is any indicator of their ship’s trajectory moving forward, they might be in for a rough season!

In the end, it was smooth sailing for the Lakers, who wrapped things up effortlessly, waiting for the final buzzer to signal a well-deserved shower. What a way to open the season!