Walker Kessler didn’t waste much time making his presence felt in a Lakers uniform.
After sitting out Los Angeles’ first three preseason games because of a finger injury, the 25-year-old center finally made his debut Tuesday night against the Golden State Warriors. He made it count.
In 16 minutes, Kessler finished with 11 points, nine rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block while knocking down four of his six shots. The Lakers were plus-15 with him on the floor, even though the team fell 101-89.
That was enough to earn a strong endorsement from JJ Redick, who liked what he saw from the Lakers’ headline offseason addition.
“I think he's (Kessler) a great fit for our team. I thought he did a nice job of running the floor, crashing.
Had some terrific rebounds in traffic. Overall, just a really, really good first half from him.
I mentioned this, they had two offensive rebounds at halftime and they had 13 in the second half. He didn't play in the second half.
… Overall, just really good for someone who didn't play for whatever is, 10 days,” Redick said in his postgame presser, via Spectrum SportsNet on X.
"I think he's (Kessler) a great fit for our team... Overall, just really good for someone who didn't play for whatever is 10 days."
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) October 14, 2026
JJ Redick talks to the media after the #Lakers 101-89 loss to the Warriors in Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/B5H7lzZIh6
Redick’s reaction lined up with what the Lakers are hoping for from Kessler this season. The club brought him in to change the look of the interior on both sides of the ball, and Tuesday’s outing offered a glimpse of that potential.
The price to get him was steep, but the early return is obvious: Kessler brings more paint protection and more motor. With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves around to set him up, there’s a path here for a big year if this preseason debut is any indication.
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