Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers
· National Basketball AssociationWalker Kessler has perfect Lakers debut with 12-for-12 shooting in 127-105 win over Warriors
Luka Doncic scored 28 points in three quarters and Austin Reaves added 23 as the Lakers began LeBron James with a thrashing of the Warriors, who got 23 points from Stephen Curry to begin his 18th season.
The 7-foot-2 Kessler was an immediate force around both rims for the Lakers, who traded a bounty of draft capital to Utah to fill Doncic's desire for a top center. Kessler's 12 shots without a miss were the second-most in Lakers history, trailing only a 14-for-14 performance by Wilt Chamberlain in March 1969.
Although Kessler hadn't played in a competitive game since last Halloween due to injury, he slammed down a lob from Doncic on LA's opening possession and never slowed down, repeatedly finishing his teammates' passes while the Lakers rolled away.
Doncic scored 23 points in the first half while engaging in a prolonged physical and verbal confrontation with Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, who got a technical foul for something he said during their exchanges. Doncic capped the chippy matchup with flair, banking in a half-court shot at the buzzer and then gleefully pointing at the fuming rookie.
Doncic also had eight rebounds and seven assists before getting to sit out the fourth quarter of his first competitive game since April 2. He has returned as the Lakers’ clear centerpiece with James’ departure for Philadelphia — and with Kessler as a compelling teammate.
Lendeborg scored 12 points in the 11th overall pick's debut. Brandon Williams added 14 points.
Golden State opened without Brandin Podziemski (back) along with veterans Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis and Moses Moody, who all have long-term injuries. The Lakers were without new guard Collin Sexton (calf) and first-round pick Cameron Carr (oblique), and swingman Jake LaRavia left the court limping in the fourth quarter.
Lakers: Host Clippers on Friday.
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Regular Season Series
LAL lead series 1-0
Recent Plays
| 4th 0.0 |  |
End of Game | 105 - 130 |
| 4th 0.0 | |
End of the 4th Quarter | 105 - 130 |
| 4th 6.7 |  |
Will Richard makes tip in dunk | 105 - 130 |
| 4th 6.7 | |
Will Richard offensive rebound | 103 - 130 |
| 4th 6.7 | |
Malevy Leons misses 7-foot two point shot | 103 - 130 |
Statistics
 GS |
 LAL |
|
|---|---|---|
| 38-92 | FG | 46-81 |
| 41 | Field Goal % | 57 |
| 8-36 | 3PT | 11-28 |
| 22 | Three Point % | 39 |
| 21-27 | FT | 24-27 |
| 78 | Free Throw % | 89 |
| 36 | Rebounds | 43 |
| 15 | Offensive Rebounds | 10 |
| 21 | Defensive Rebounds | 33 |
| 25 | Assists | 28 |
| 15 | Steals | 11 |
| 2 | Blocks | 5 |
| 15 | Turnovers | 18 |
| 1 | Team Turnovers | 0 |
| 16 | Total Turnovers | 18 |
| 1 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 1 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 25 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 20 |
| 17 | Fast Break Points | 21 |
| 56 | Points in Paint | 66 |
| 19 | Fouls | 25 |
| 3 | Largest Lead | 35 |
| 10 | Lead Changes | 10 |
| 9 | Percent Led | 84 |
Los Angeles Lakers Injuries
| NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Austin Reaves, G | Day-To-Day | Nov 9 |
| Quentin Grimes, G | Day-To-Day | Nov 9 |
Golden State Warriors Injuries
| NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Gary Payton II, G | Day-To-Day | Nov 9 |
| Brandon Williams, G | Day-To-Day | Nov 9 |
| Will Richard, G | Out | Nov 9 |
| Kristaps Porzingis, C | Out | Nov 6 |
| Moses Moody, G | Out | Oct 16 |
Game Information
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Attendance: 19,057 · Capacity:
2026-27 Pacific Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 LA Lakers |
10 | 2 | .833 | - | W6 |
 Golden State |
8 | 3 | .727 | 1.5 | W8 |
 Phoenix |
3 | 6 | .333 | 5.5 | L1 |
 LA Clippers |
2 | 7 | .222 | 6.5 | W1 |
 Sacramento |
1 | 9 | .100 | 8 | L3 |
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