Walker Kessler shines in Lakers debut, matching historic NBA feats
The newly acquired center scored 26 points on perfect shooting in a 127-105 victory over the Golden State Warriors.
Walker Kessler made a spectacular debut for the Los Angeles Lakers on opening night, helping his new team secure a 127-105 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Acquired during the offseason following the departure of LeBron James, the 7-foot-2 center quickly proved his worth by dominating the paint alongside Luka Doncic.
During the game, Kessler delivered an extraordinary performance by scoring 26 points without missing a single shot, finishing 12-for-12 from the field. According to ESPN Insights, his flawless shooting night matched a historic feat achieved by Wilt Chamberlain, who went 14-for-14 against the Detroit Pistons on March 11, 1969. Additionally, Kessler set a record for the most points scored in a season opener without a missed field-goal attempt.
Kessler also etched his name alongside another Lakers legend by recording 10 dunks before the end of the third quarter. He became the first Los Angeles player to achieve that feat in a single game since Shaquille O'Neal. Alongside his scoring display, Kessler contributed nine rebounds and two blocks in 30 minutes of action.
Head coach JJ Redick praised the center's mindset and integration into the team following the matchup. Redick stated, "I think he wants to embrace that. I think that's why he wanted to be a Laker. And why he wanted to be here was because of the fact that there are stakes every single night when you wear a Lakers uniform."
The dominant performance validates the significant investment the Lakers made to acquire Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade deal. Los Angeles sent two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps to Utah before signing the center to a four-year, $130 million contract. The team is counting on him to anchor the defense and serve as a reliable presence under the basket.
Kessler enters this season with plenty of motivation after a shoulder injury limited him to just five appearances during the 2025-26 campaign. Despite that setback, he previously established himself as a formidable rebounder and shot-blocker, averaging 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.
With Doncic adding 28 points of his own and Kessler controlling the paint, the Lakers comfortably secured a 22-point victory over a Warriors squad led by Stephen Curry. The stellar debut offers early optimism for a Lakers roster navigating a new era of basketball.