Walker Kessler has been as dominant as expected in his first two games with the Los Angeles Lakers, drawing praise from head coach JJ Redick after his latest performance. 

Kessler was a force in the Lakers' 125-117 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, posting 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and nine stocks (six blocks, three steals). 

"I felt like he was a great player [before joining], and he has certainly proven that correct," Redick said. "He's a fantastic basketball player, and I think he'll continue to get better." 

No prizes for those who predicted Kessler would fit well next to a backcourt of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, but they were right. 

The trio is averaging 75 points over the first two games of the 2026-27 season, with Kessler responsible for 24 a night. 

And alongside being an excellent interior finisher — 84.6 percent clip from the field so far — Kessler is also a tremendous defensive anchor. He put that side of his game on full display against the Clippers. 

"I thought there were multiple times when I thought they had a layup and he either came over to block the shot or altered it," Redick said. "The second effort was great, and it was another great game for him running [the floor] as well... He was a huge spark for us getting this win." 

Kessler's defensive gravity will keep the Lakers competitive in most games, even when Doncic and Reaves combine for 17 of the team's 21 turnovers, as on Friday. He is the ultimate equalizer. 

It's scary to think about Kessler's possible ceiling with the Lakers, given how well he's played coming off an injury that kept him out for nearly all of last season (played in five games). 

Two games into his fifth year in the NBA, Redick said one of the main reasons the Lakers wanted him was that he's still only 25. 

After signing Kessler to a four-year, $130 million deal this offseason, the Lakers are set to have Kessler, Doncic, 27, and Reaves, 28, together through each of their athletic primes. And while that doesn't guarantee championships, the early signs suggest that it's a very good start. 

Kessler is now looking ahead to a return to Utah on Sunday when the Lakers face his former team, the Jazz. It's worth noting that he is still technically getting his feet under him after appearing in only two preseason games (23.5 minutes per game). 

That average quickly jumped to 32.5 minutes in the first two regular-season games, and Kessler is certainly living up to his offseason claims that he is '110 percent healthy' after undergoing labrum surgery last year. 

In his Lakers debut, Kessler helped the purple and gold blow out the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday with 26 points, nine rebounds, one assist, and two blocks on a perfect 12-for-12 shooting night. He is averaging four blocks per game.