Lakers beat Warriors 127-105; Doncic and Kessler shine

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors 127-105 in the first game of the season. Luka Doncic and newly arrived center Walker Kessler stood out in the game.

The Lakers have left behind a turbulent summer marked by LeBron James's departure and the sale of the club. James, who led the team to the 2020 title and is the league's all-time leading scorer, agreed to a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.

For the Warriors, Stephen Curry scored 16 points in the first quarter. But when coach Steve Kerr rested the 38-year-old star late in the first quarter, the team lost its rhythm. Curry returned in the second quarter but could not take control of the game. The Lakers pulled away in the third quarter.

Doncic played with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. He closed the first half with a shot from half court, then got into a verbal exchange with Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. Doncic said, "Everybody knows, when someone starts talking, a different me shows up." At the start of the third quarter, he set up Kessler for a dunk with a behind-the-back pass.

Kessler, who came from the Utah Jazz, made 12 of 12 shots for 26 points. Shaquille O'Neal called him the league's "best big man." The margin reached 35 points in the second half. As most Warriors fans left the arena, chants of "We want Bronny" rose from the stands for James's 22-year-old son, Bronny James.