The Los Angeles Lakers opened their regular season on Oct. 22 at Crypto.com Arena with a 127-105 victory against the Golden State Warriors, powered by 28 points from Luka Dončić, 23 points from Austin Reaves, and a 26-point, 12-for-12 shooting performance from newcomer Walker Kessler.
Dončić and Kessler lead a 127-105 opening-night rout of Golden State
The contest began as a tightly contested affair, with the Lakers holding a narrow 34-33 advantage after the opening 12 minutes. Los Angeles seized control late in the second quarter by launching a 17-4 scoring run that established a 66-52 halftime cushion. The home side then outscored Golden State 36-16 in the third period to put the outcome beyond doubt, eventually leading by as many as 35 points.
Dončić spearheaded the offensive attack, scoring 23 of his game-high 28 points before halftime. His first-half surge included a long-range heave from near halfcourt just before the intermission. He added eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, sitting out the entire fourth quarter as the lopsided score allowed for early rest.
Kessler ties franchise dunk record in flawless shooting display
Kessler delivered an historic interior performance in his first official appearance since arriving from the Utah Jazz. The big man connected on all 12 of his field goal attempts, finishing with 26 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. Ten of his baskets came via dunks, tying a franchise single-game record for dunks previously set by Shaquille O’Neal in 2003.
Kessler’s 12 field goals without a miss also marked the second-longest streak in Lakers franchise history, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s 14 successful shots set in 1969. Reaves complemented the frontcourt production by chipping in 23 points, six assists, and four rebounds, sinking a key 3-pointer in the third quarter during the decisive run.
Shaquille O’Neal dubs the new trio the Snowtime Lakers
Following the blowout victory, Shaquille O’Neal praised Kessler’s output, describing the big man’s performance as resembling that of “the best big man in the league.” O’Neal also referenced the supporting synergy between Dončić, Reaves, and Kessler by calling the group the “Snowtime Lakers”—a play on the legendary “Showtime” moniker from the franchise’s historical era.
The nickname had circulated prior to tipoff given the roster configuration, but the opening-night production from the team’s new foundational core brought the label renewed attention. With LeBron James having departed for the Philadelphia 76ers, the victory offered an initial glimpse into a restructured roster designed around Dončić’s playmaking and interior stabilization from Kessler.
More on Walker Kessler
Related reading
