LOS ANGELES, Calif -The Los Angeles Lakers opened their 2026-2027 season with a dominant 127-105 win against the Golden State Warriors. This marks the beginning of a new era in Los Angeles with superstar guard Luka Doncic being the new face of the franchise.
Since arriving in Los Angeles, Doncic has continued to display his stardom capturing his second scoring title and earning All-NBA First team honors in 2025-2026.
However, injuries ended his season early, not being able to play in the playoffs as LA would eventually get swept in the second round by OKC. For both fans and Doncic, it was a disappointing end to what could have been a championship run.
Lakers Basketball is HERE ?? https://t.co/U3qV9hXOAl
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 21, 2026
Once the Lakers got the news James would not be returning they began their offseason work with Doncic having his hand in the majority of moves made this offseason. Resigning his tandem duo partner Austin Reaves, acquiring their next franchise center in Walker Kessler, signing Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelshvili, and Kevon Looney.
This was the first glimpse of this team handcrafted for Doncic. The crowd erupted with the first points for LA being a lob from Doncic to new center Walker Kessler. After acquiring him via trade from Utah, the Lakers gave Kessler a 4-year, $130 million contract to be the next franchise big man, a position the Lakers have struggled to find consistency in the last few years.
The two would finish the first half strong with Doncic finishing with 23 points with four three-pointers to Kessler’s 14 points and six rebounds. New teammates Grimes and Mamukelshvili finished with eleven and eight points as Reaves got off to a slow start with eight.
Versatility, perimeter defense, rebounding, and rim protection were the areas of focus for LA heading into the offseason. The first half displayed major improvements in each of those areas with the new additions to this team.
Golden State trailed the entire first half getting out rebounded along with missing more three-point shots. Steph Curry, in his 18th season with Golden State, had an exceptional first half scoring 20 points, including dropping two three pointers.
LA continued that momentum heading into the third quarter, dominating Golden State in the paint both offensively and defensively while continuing excellent shooting. At one point having a 31- point lead late in the third quarter.
One major change already shown from last year’s team to this year’s team in their first game was the lob threat. For the past couple years the Lakers didn’t have that lob threat to convert easy points in the paint while also getting crucial rebounds defensively.
For the first time since he’s arrived in Los Angeles, Doncic has that lob threat in Walker Kessler which turned out to be a massive difference maker.
“I think it’s a big deal when it’s your first game as a Laker,” said Lakers head coach JJ Redick speaking on Walker Kessler’s debut. “He understands what this is and the pressures that come with it, I think it was a good opening statement for him.”
Not only did it benefit Doncic but several other of the Lakers players benefited from Kessler’s presence. Reaves and Grimes both had lobs to Kessler that converted into points. Heading into the fourth quarter with a 34-point lead LA was on cruise control.
Doncic, Reaves, and Kessler would all exit during the fourth quarter each having great nights in their first game together. Doncic would finish with 28 points along with five three pointers. Reaves, who started slow in the first half, turned it on in the second half finishing with 23 points.
Kessler was fantastic in his Laker debut, scoring 26 points while making an immediate impact with nine rebounds. He was perfect from the field shooting 12 of 12 and had ten dunks, the most in a game by a Laker since Shaquille O’Neal in 2003.
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