The Luka Doncic era opened with a statement on Wednesday night. Los Angeles beat Golden State 127-105 at home, and the new Lakers looked fast, big and settled from the first quarter.
Doncic scored 28 points with 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Walker Kessler scored 26 on a perfect 12 of 12 shooting with 10 dunks, the most by a Laker since Shaquille O'Neal in 2003. Kessler joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only Lakers perfect on 12 or more attempts. Austin Reaves added 23.
Stephen Curry scored 23 for Golden State, with 20 of them in the first half. The Warriors played without Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis, Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski, and a thin rotation could not hold up once the Lakers size took over inside.
One game does not make an era. It does set a tone, and the tone in Los Angeles is that the ball runs through Doncic and the paint belongs to Kessler.
Key Facts
- Final: Lakers 127, Warriors 105 at Crypto.com Arena
- Star: Luka Doncic 28 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists
- Perfect: Walker Kessler 26 points on 12 of 12 with 10 dunks
- Support: Austin Reaves 23; Stephen Curry 23 for Golden State, 20 in the first half
- Short handed: Warriors without Butler, Porzingis, Moody and Podziemski
More Los Angeles Lakers News
Luka Doncic Drops 52 as Lakers Rally From 18 Down to Beat Jazz 132-123
Fantasy Basketball Daily: Luka Doncic Drops 52, 10 and 8 in Lakers Comeback
Los Angeles Lakers gear at Fanatics
Lakers Sold for Record $12.5 Billion as Buss Family Goes to War Over the Team
Reaves, Kessler Day-to-Day as Lakers Face Warriors on Back-to-Back
Luka Drops 21 in 16 Minutes as Lakers Crush Kings 127-103 in Preseason Opener
