The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Atlanta Hawks 124-114 behind 32-point game from Luka Doncic, but the superstar showed exactly why he’s been asking for a center since the blockbuster trade was completed. Number 77 knows having a rim protector, screen setter, and lob target improves his game. The Lakers didn’t have Austin Reaves in Atlanta, but still got the win because Walker Kessler stepped up.
Kessler finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in 30 minutes of action. He made eight of his 12 field goals and went five of six from the free-throw line. The 7’2 big man kept getting buckets inside. He and Sandro Mamukelashvili helped make up for AR’s absence and get the Lakers their sixth straight win.
Luka wanted a center from the moment he arrived in LA. The Lakers traded for Mark Williams only for the deal to be rescinded by a failed physical. It took a year and a half before the Lakers could make the swing for Kessler. It cost them two first-round draft picks and two swaps, but Doncic knew it would make LA a serious contender and give them a shot to win every night.
Luka Doncic is even better with a center
Part of Doncic being the MVP frontrunner to start this season is Kessler. He gives Doncic a lob target and someone to free him up off screens. Luka is using the most screens since his rookie year because he has a strong screen to free him up.
Even after struggling to make shots in Atlanta, Luka is averaging 39.3 points on 49.7 shooting from the field. There has been some incredible shot-making, but Doncic is getting more space because teams have to worry about Kessler finishing inside and being an offensive rebound threat.
The Hawks have elite perimeter defenders. They were using Dyson Daniels, Lu Dort, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to slow down Doncic, but it didn’t matter. The Don still went off for 32 and dished out 10 dimes.
Kessler has allowed Luka to take a step forward on defense. With a rim protector on the backline, Doncic can gamble more, and the Lakers are playing the perfect scheme for their superstar. Luka had five steals and two blocks against the Hawks, and he’s been outstanding on this end of the floor.
Kessler doesn’t just make Doncic better.
Luka Doncic made Walker Kessler the number two without Austin Reaves
Reaves scored 43 points on Sunday night and looked like a star. The sat him with an illness on the second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers needed someone to step up, so Doncic fed Kessler.
The big man had his third 20-point game of the season. He has showcased some improved passing on the short roll and finishing touch around the rim. Kessler was excited to join the Lakers because he knew it would be a larger offensive role. The 7’2 big man is delivering.
Luka is the best pick-and-roll ball-handler in the world. He will keep finding Kessler, and LA will keep stacking up victories.
Luka Doncic plus a center equals title contention
Doncic led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024 with Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively playing center. Luka fed them easy buckets and relied on their rim protection to get stops. Dallas wasn’t the favorite, but they won the Western Conference.
The Lakers look like a serious threat. They’ve won six straight and are 10-2 on the season. Doncic is the MVP frontrunner, and he’s turning Kessler into a star. Luka is better with a center. He knows it. That is why he wanted the Lakers to acquire one. They've been outstanding since getting Kessler.
The Los Angeles Lakers found out why Luka Doncic wanted a center. Walker Kessler has delivered, and nobody is thinking about the price. He had his third 20-point game of the season and looks like LA’s third star. There was no Austin Reaves in Atlanta, but it didn’t matter. The Lakers won thanks to Luka and Kessler.
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