Lakers
The Lakers opened with a Luka Doncic lob to Walker Kessler. The Warriors spent much of the evening watching variations of the same play.
Kessler finished with 26 points on 12-of-12 shooting, nine rebounds and two blocks in Wednesday’s 127-105 season-opening win. Ten of his baskets were dunks, giving Los Angeles an immediate return on its biggest offseason addition.
As Khobi Price of the Post reports, Kessler joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in franchise history to make every shot while attempting at least 12 field goals.
That’s quite an introduction for a center whose offensive fit alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves was among the questions entering the season.
Against Golden State, the partnership looked comfortable. Doncic supplied 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Reaves added 23 points and six assists on 6-of-11 shooting.
The Lakers also responded defensively after allowing 33 first-quarter points. They held the Warriors to a combined 37 in the second and third quarters, eventually building a lead as large as 35 early in the fourth.
Stephen Curry scored 16 of his team-high 23 points in the opening quarter and played just 21 minutes with the game out of reach.
One night won’t settle everything about the rebuilt Lakers. But finding Kessler at the rim looks like something they’ll happily keep trying.
Heat
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 35 points in his Miami debut, then pointed to effort and trust after a 131-106 loss to the Timberwolves.
“Our effort has to be better. It starts with me. My effort has to be better. I set the tone,” he said, via Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.
Anthony Edwards scored 45 points and made nine threes, while LaMelo Ball added 21 points and five threes for the Timberwolves. Antetokounmpo said Miami became discouraged as those shots fell.
“When guys get going, we have to be more physical with them,” he said.
The Heat also lost the rebounding battle 52-34, including 17-4 on the offensive glass, and shot just 24% from three. Their starting group had only two preseason games together because of Bam Adebayo’s groin injury. Miami hosts the Pistons on Friday.
Jazz
Utah’s opening loss exposed concerns that were visible before the season, Ryan McDonald of the Deseret News writes. The Jazz fell 123-103 to the Grizzlies, committed 18 turnovers and were outrebounded 55-38.
McDonald identifies the departure of Kessler as a significant defensive loss, leaving Utah with less protection behind a roster built around Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George and young scorers Darryn Peterson and Ace Bailey.
The offense also looked unsettled as players worked through their responsibilities. Coach Will Hardy has more scoring talent available, but turning those individual options into a coordinated attack will be essential if Utah is going to move from rebuilding to playoff contention.
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