The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t just beat the Golden State Warriors on opening night, they steamrolled them 127-105, in a game that felt like the Lakers finally looked back at the Dubs with some serious vengeance. Even with the Warriors limping into Crypto.com Arena missing their starting small forward, starting center, starting shooting guard, and the backup behind him, this wasn’t some lucky break. Jimmy Butler is still rehabbing an ACL, Kristaps Porzingis is out with some injury nobody can explain, Brandin Podziemski’s back flared up, and Moses Moody is months away after patellar tendon repair. Even Steph Curry played on a sprained right ankle. But what the Lakers showed us on Wednesday night? That’s what matters here, and it was pure fire.
Kessler Kicks Down the Door, Goes Full “Milk Chamberlain”
Walker Kessler, in his very first game with the Lake Show, absolutely exploded. The big man was flawless, going a perfect 12-for-12 from the field, racking up 26 points and pulling down nine rebounds. Think about that: a perfect night from the floor! The only Laker with a cleaner shooting night in history was Wilt Chamberlain back in 1969, who went 14-for-14. Shaq even dubbed Kessler “Milk Chamberlain of the Snowtime Lakers” after watching him put up those numbers with 10 dunks!
The Warriors’ defense had no answers. Every time a Lakers guard turned the corner, Golden State had to choose: stop the ball handler or stay home on Kessler. With Porzingis sidelined, there wasn’t a seven-footer protecting the rim, and too often, the Dubs got caught in between. That left Kessler catching lobs like he was Randy Moss, slamming them home again and again. Luka just kept lobbing it up, and Kessler just kept throwing it down. The Warriors spent the whole night watching a highlight reel on repeat.
Doncic and Reaves Made the Dubs Look Lost
Of course, you can’t talk about a Lakers masterclass without talking about Luka Doncic. He put on a clinic, giving rookie Yaxel Lendeborg a harsh introduction to professional basketball. Luka combined shotmaking and foul-baiting to a degree that clearly drove the young Warrior mad. Doncic finished with a monster 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, all while posting a ridiculous plus-31 in just 29 minutes. When your star player is eating popcorn for the final minutes of opening night, you know your team got absolutely whooped.
And let’s not forget Luka’s backcourt running mate, Austin Reaves, who had an incredibly efficient night himself. Reaves poured in 23 points and dished out six assists, shooting a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line on just 11 field goal attempts. That’s what happens when a defense gets stretched thin. The Warriors were busy sending help at Luka, trying to deal with Kessler rolling to the basket, and Reaves just capitalized.
This wasn’t just an opening night win. This was a statement. The way the Lakers took control, the sheer dominance of Kessler in the paint, and how Luka just toyed with the defense, tells you everything about what this Lakers squad could be. We are only one game in, but this kind of performance sets a serious tone for what’s to come, and the rest of the league needs to take notice.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Golden State of Mind.
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