Walker Kessler wasted no time making his mark in purple and gold.
In his Lakers debut Wednesday night, Kessler turned in a perfect shooting performance and helped power Los Angeles to a 127-105 win over the Golden State Warriors in the season opener at Crypto.com Arena. He finished with 26 points on 12-of-12 shooting, along with nine rebounds and two blocks.
“Dave Pasch just said on ESPN’s broadcast that Walker Kessler is the first Lakers player with a perfect shooting night, minimum 12 shots, since Wilt Chamberlain in 1969,” wrote Siegel on X.
Kessler’s easy scoring fit naturally alongside the work of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who kept feeding him openings all night. Coming off a shoulder injury, Kessler benefited from the space created by the backcourt duo and kept punishing the Warriors around the rim.
Doncic posted 28 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, while Reaves finished with 23 points, four rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
Doncic had pushed for the Lakers to bring Kessler in, seeing him as the kind of center who could thrive with his size, upside, and rim protection.
The move became official in July, when Kessler signed a four-year, $130 million contract after a sign-and-trade deal with the Utah Jazz. Los Angeles sent out two first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps to get him.
Now Kessler gets the same kind of early spotlight that has long followed the Lakers’ great big men, a group that includes Chamberlain, George Mikan, Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, and Anthony Davis.
The Lakers play the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
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