LOS ANGELES — The post-LeBron James era in Los Angeles opened with a statement. Luka Doncic and newly acquired center Walker Kessler powered the Lakers to a 127-105 rout of the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night, giving the franchise a convincing first impression in its first game since James’ departure.
The Lakers entered the new campaign after an offseason of major upheaval, including James’ exit in free agency and a sale of the franchise. James, who led Los Angeles to the 2020 NBA title and became the league’s all-time leading scorer while wearing purple and gold, has signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Curry Starts Strong, but Warriors Fade
Golden State’s Stephen Curry scored 16 points in a back-and-forth opening stretch, but the Warriors lost momentum when coach Steve Kerr opted to rest the 38-year-old guard late in the first quarter. Curry returned in the second quarter but could not break the Lakers’ grip on the game, and the hosts pulled away in the third.
Doncic finished with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, closing the first half with a high-arcing shot from beyond half court at the buzzer. He then exchanged words with Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg as the crowd roared.
“Everybody knows when somebody starts talking, you got a different me,” Doncic said.
Kessler Perfect From the Field in Debut
Early in the third quarter, Doncic threw a behind-the-back pass to Kessler for a dunk, a play reminiscent of Lakers “Showtime” great Magic Johnson. Kessler, who arrived from the Utah Jazz, scored 26 points on a perfect 12-for-12 shooting in a debut that drew high praise — including from Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal, who told him he was “the best big man” in the NBA.
“I’m happy for you, I’m proud of you. Welcome to the big man alliance,” O’Neal said.
“That means so much coming from you,” Kessler replied.
Crowd Chants for Bronny as Lakers Cruise
The hosts led by as many as 35 points in the second half, and most Warriors fans had left by the time the crowd began chanting “We want Bronny,” a reference to James’ 22-year-old son Bronny James, who plays for the Lakers. Coach JJ Redick sent the younger James into the game late in the fourth quarter, and the crowd erupted when he hit a floater in the lane to put Los Angeles up 127-100.
The win offers an early glimpse of the Lakers’ new identity: a Doncic-led offense, a dominant interior presence in Kessler, and a roster navigating life without the franchise’s most iconic modern star.
