Walker Kessler Joins Wilt Conversations After Thrilling Lakers Debut

Heading into the season, the Los Angeles Lakers fanbase had high expectations for Walker Kessler. Kessler delivered in his regular-season debut, etching his name into the team’s history books.

In the offseason, the Lakers had several holes to fill, with the departure of LeBron James and the loss of big men like Jaxson Hayes and Deandre Ayton. Lakers coach JJ Redick had to build a new scheme around their star Luka Doncic.

Kessler’s signing was the perfect fit to play alongside Doncic and help maximize Redick’s scheme. As the Lakers entered a new era, they hosted the Golden State Warriors in their regular-season debut.

In 30 minutes, Kessler delivered a performance many Lakers greats couldn’t match in their debut. Kessler anchored the Lakers’ defense and showed why he was the perfect big man to help Doncic.

Kessler finished with 26 points on 100% shooting. He got an assist, and his defense was no joke, grabbing nine rebounds and two blocks.

Kessler’s performance put him in the history books: he shot 12-for-12 from the field; only Wilt Chamberlain has more, with 14-for-14 in his game on March 11, 1969, against the Detroit Pistons, according to ESPN Insights.

Redick had expectations for Kessler and how he would fit in with the team.

“I think he wants to embrace that. I think that’s why he wanted to be a Laker. And he wanted to be here because there are stakes every single night when you wear a Lakers uniform. We’ve had a number of conversations. We had a long conversation about it the other day. I think the awareness is there; how you navigate that early on and how you navigate that in your first year, there’s no way to predict that because you’ve never dealt with it before.” 

The NBA season is a long campaign, and some players fade as the season goes on. After his debut, the Lakers hope Kessler can keep up what he’s shown.