Published 2 hours ago • loading... • Updated 29 minutes ago
Walker Kessler Has Perfect Lakers Debut with 12-for-12 Shooting in 127-105 Win over Warriors
Luka Dončić’s half-court buzzer-beater sparked a 32-19 second quarter as Los Angeles opened with six new players in its rotation.
On Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors 127-105 in their season opener, with Walker Kessler scoring 26 points on perfect 12-for-12 shooting and Luka Doncic adding 28.
The Lakers began their first season since four-time NBA MVP LeBron James left for the Philadelphia 76ers, acquiring Kessler via a four-year, $130 million sign-and-trade deal with the Utah Jazz.
Los Angeles pulled away by outscoring Golden State 36-16 in the third quarter, extending their lead to 102-68 as Austin Reaves contributed 23 points on efficient shooting.
During the matchup, Doncic and Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg engaged in a heated verbal exchange, resulting in a technical foul for Lendeborg, while Stephen Curry scored 20 of his 23 points in the first half.
Both teams played short-handed, with the Warriors missing injured veterans Jimmy Butler and Kristaps Porzingis; the Lakers remain in Los Angeles to host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday evening.
In what was the first official game of the season in the post-Lebron James era, Luka Dončić had an evening inspired by his first game of the 2026-27 Lakers of Angels campaign and scored 28 points, in the victory of the Angelian team by 127-105 over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena.