The Los Angeles Lakers dominated the Golden State Warriors 127-105 in the season opener, and Walker Kessler dunked the ball and played the role Deandre Ayton often refused last season. There was no question about his buy-in or happiness doing the little things. Kessler finished with 26 points, nine rebounds, one assist, and two blocks in 30 minutes. He had ten dunks and the Lakers outscored Golden State by 24 with the new big man on the floor.
Many questioned why the Lakers paid such a hefty price to land the big man. They gave up two first-round draft picks and two swaps to secure Kessler. The purple and gold agreed to a four-year, $129.4 million contract to make him the long-term center Luka wanted since he arrived in LA. Fans underrated the price of the big man market and Kessler’s fit next to number 77.
Nobody knew what to expect from Ayton. He had nights where he looked dominant and others where his effort was a problem. Ayton rarely rolled all the way to the rim or caught lobs. He was far from the ideal fit with Luka. Kessler is happy playing the Clint Capela role and being the ideal big man for number 77.
Walker Kessler is already making fans forget the Deandre Ayton days
There was no question about what Kessler was bringing in the season opener. He was running the floor, ready to catch lobs, and dunked everything. There was no pulling up for floaters like Ayton or trying to command the ball. Kessler got close to the rim and took advantage of his opportunities.
Too many dunks to count for Walker 😤 pic.twitter.com/UjToxkfdkB
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 22, 2026
It is why he went 12 of 12 from the field. Luka was on-point in the opener. He had 28 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals without playing one second in the fourth quarter. The new pairing looked elite.
It won’t always be this easy. Warriors starting center Kristaps Porzingis was out, and Al Horford was limited to just 17 minutes. Golden State mostly went small, which made it easy for the Lakers’ 7’2 big man, but credit to Kessler for not doing too much. He was happy protecting the rim and getting easy buckets.
Ayton’s energy fluctuated too much. He was often taking difficult shots or trying to get his. That is not what the Lakers need. Luka wants a big man to be a roll man and lob threat. Doncic makes life easier for his center, and fans saw what he can do with a big man happy to buy into that role in the season opener.
Walker Kessler is a rim protector Lakers haven’t had in Luka Doncic era
Ayton averaged 1.0 block per game, but the Lakers gave up far too many easy buckets at the rim last season. Things were even worse after LA traded Anthony Davis to get Doncic at the 2025 trade deadline. Jaxson Hayes was the starting center with the Lakers playing small behind him, and the opposition feasted at the cup.
Luka finally has the rim deterrent he wants in the middle. Fans saw what he could in 2024 when he led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals with Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford at the five. The big man combo bought into their role as lob threats and rim protectors. Both played the best basketball of their careers with Luka feeding them.
Kessler had two blocks against the Dubs, and he has been one of the league’s best rim protectors over the last couple of years. He has flown under the radar because the Jazz were rebuilding. Fans saw LA dominate his minutes in the opener because he was shutting off the rim.
After a rough first quarter where the Warriors scored 32 points, the Lakers held them to 35 over the next two periods. Kessler was leading that defense and being the anchor. That is exactly what Los Angeles needs.
Lakers fans have already forgotten the Deandre Ayton era
Lakers fans weren’t thinking about what they’d get from their center in the opener. They knew Kessler was fully bought into his role from the preseason.
The Ayton rollercoaster is the Wizards' problem now. He opted into his $8.1 million player option, but the Lakers traded him to Washington for two second-round picks and Jaden Hardy. They knew DA didn’t fit, and it was time to move on. Los Angeles needs a backup center, and they were still comfortable sending out Ayton.
Kessler won’t shoot 100 percent from the field this season, but the Lakers don’t need him to. He won’t average 26 points per game. Kessler doesn’t expect to. The 7’2 big man knows his role and is excited to play it. He understands Luka and Austin Reaves will find him. Kessler wants to win after four years of losing in Utah. He is happy to be in Los Angeles and is already showing he is everything the Lakers missed with Ayton at the five.
The Los Angeles Lakers dominated their season opener and look like a legit title threat after one game. Walker Kessler is fully bought in and doing all those little things a center needs to shine next to Luka Doncic. The Lakers paid a hefty price, but it was worth every penny. Kessler is officially what LA needs, and fans are already forgetting the bad dream that was Ayton at the five.
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