Walker Kessler could hardly have imagined a better debut in a Lakers jersey. The 24-year-old center was flawless against the Golden State Warriors, finishing the game with 26 points on 12-for-12 shooting and 9 rebounds, as his team secured a decisive 127-105 victory.
His performance also had a historic dimension. His 12 made shots without a single miss represent the second-best performance in Lakers history, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s 14-for-14 in March 1969. Kessler hadn’t played in an official game since last Halloween due to injury, but from the very first possession, he showed he needed no time to adjust, slamming home an alley-oop pass from Luka Dončić.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The Slovenian was also in top form, scoring 28 points in three quarters along with 8 rebounds and 7 assists, while Austin Reaves added 23 points. Dončić already had 23 points in the first half and closed out the half with an impressive shot from the center of the court, following an intense one-on-one battle with Warriors rookie Jaxel Lendeborg.
For Golden State, Steph Curry scored 23 points to kick off his 18th NBA season, but was unable to prevent the heavy defeat. The Warriors took the court with several key players missing, including Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porziņģis, and Moses Moody, while the Lakers got a very strong first impression of their new starting center right from the opening night.
*photo source: AP
