Walker Kessler didn’t just make a strong first impression for the Lakers. He gave them something they’ve been missing since Anthony Davis was dealt away.
Los Angeles opened the season with a 127-105 win over the Golden State Warriors, and while Luka Doncic’s 28 points were expected, Kessler’s 26-point debut turned heads. He added 8 rebounds and 7 assists, then put his stamp on the night with 12 dunks - the most in a Lakers debut since Shaquille O’Neal.
That kind of production drew immediate praise from former Lakers star James Worthy, who pointed to Kessler’s size, rim presence and offensive value as reasons the team’s center spot finally looks settled.
“It’s what we needed. We haven’t had it since Anthony Davis… He’s a big body, knows how to use it to to affect the defense.”
The Lakers’ path to Kessler came after the 2025 trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Mavericks as part of the package to land Doncic. Since then, the team has tried to patch together the middle with Jaxson Hayes and Deandre Ayton, but those limitations were exposed. That set the stage for Los Angeles to make a major move for Kessler in the offseason, and his debut suggested the gamble may already be paying off.
Worthy went deeper on what makes Kessler different, calling him a “specialist” and highlighting the way he blends protection at the rim with activity away from it.
“He’s a specialist at his position. A lot of centers, if you take it to them, you know they’re there, they protect the rim. Gobert is one of those guys.
“Kessler will be there. Plus, he’ll come from the distance is what I really love.
He tracks the basketball very well. You might he might be behind the defense, but he’ll track the shot and come from four or five feet to help out his teammates.
“He’s a different kind of guy. He keeps it alive, doesn’t knock it out of play.
The old Bill Russell shot blocking, just tipping. Hopefully, one of his teammates gets it.”
Worthy also acknowledged the eye-popping dunk total came with some obvious context.
“You’re not going to get that many dunks every night, but put yourself in position.”
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