The Luka Dončić era opened with a statement: Los Angeles beat a short-handed Golden State team 127-105 in its first season without LeBron James since 2017. Dončić led the way, while new center Walker Kessler delivered a perfect-shooting debut that showcased the two-man game the Lakers built around their star.

By the Numbers
  • Dončić: 28 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals.
  • Kessler: 26 points on 12-of-12 shooting, including 10 dunks.
  • Los Angeles won 127-105; Golden State shot 27-for-70.
  • Kessler’s 10 dunks were the most by a Laker in a game since Shaquille O’Neal had 10 in 2003.
Yes, But

The opener was encouraging, but Golden State was missing Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porziņģis and Moses Moody. The Lakers also face an early concern: Jake LaRavia appeared to roll his ankle during garbage time.

State of Play
  • Los Angeles has reshaped its roster around Dončić; only three of the nine Lakers who played meaningful minutes were on last season’s team.
  • Kessler, Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams started, while Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Kevon Looney came off the bench.
Bottom Line

The Lakers’ revamped roster made a convincing first impression, with Dončić and Kessler already showing the partnership the team is counting on. One opener is no measure of the season, but the new era is off to a strong start.