The Los Angeles Lakers wasted no time establishing themselves as a threat in the Western Conference, blowing out the Golden State Warriors on opening night, 127-105.

The Lakers were led by Luka Doncic, who finished with 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Austin Reaves chipped in with 23 points, four rebounds, and six assists.

Making his Lakers debut, big man Walker Kessler scored 26 points, going 12-for-12 from the field. He also added nine rebounds as the Warriors had no answer for him. This was Kessler’s first regular season game since October 2025. He missed all but five games last season after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.

After the game, Kessler was asked about being in the spotlight as a member of the Lakers.

“I wish I could say I’ve always been comfortable with it, but I haven’t. When I was younger and going to college, I definitely let the pressure and outside voices dictate how I felt. I believe in opportunity. God is so big in my life. To be here, it’s all glory to him.”

Kessler said it’s hard to focus on negativity when you count your blessings, so that’s what he’s put his focus on in the last few years, realizing how awesome his opportunity is and how grateful he is for it.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick had high praise for Kessler as well, saying that they spoke with him about the opportunity to be the starting center on the Lakers and the pressures that come with it. He said that Kessler’s debut was “a good opening statement for him.”

The Lakers paid a premium for Kessler, trading unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, plus first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030, to the Utah Jazz in exchange for the restricted free agent. Kessler was signed to a four-year, $130 million contract as part of the sign-and-trade.

Kessler had already established himself as one of the better bigs in the league and looked to be the perfect complement to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, but after playing just five games last season, there were questions about how he would bounce back.

The Lakers are in a championship mindset with Doncic in his prime and still finding ways to improve, on top of signing Reaves to a massive extension.

Kessler is expected to connect the two offensively with his ability to set screens and be open underneath the rim, and shore up the defense with his rim protection.