The Lakers’ second preseason meeting with the Golden State Warriors gave the 12BSports basketball audience plenty of reasons for optimism despite the defeat, especially with Walker Kessler finally making his long-awaited debut. Both teams continued experimenting with their rotations, although the personnel changes were considerably more noticeable for Los Angeles. With Luka Doncic receiving his usual preseason rest, the Lakers fielded most of their regular starters, giving Austin Reaves a rare opportunity to run the offense as the primary playmaker. The biggest attraction, however, was Kessler, the team’s most significant offseason acquisition, who finally stepped onto the court in purple and gold.
Acquiring Kessler had required an enormous commitment from the Lakers. Despite already facing serious salary cap restrictions, Los Angeles offered the center a four-year contract worth $130 million. The financial investment was only part of the cost. To complete the sign-and-trade agreement with Utah, the Lakers also surrendered two first-round draft picks and two future first-round pick swaps. The move left the franchise with limited flexibility for the following offseason while significantly reducing its control over draft selections for the next seven years. Unsurprisingly, criticism began circulating before Kessler had even played his first game. His health also raised concerns, particularly after a shoulder injury limited him to just five appearances last season.
Those concerns intensified when reports emerged that Kessler had injured the little finger on his left hand during training, forcing another delay to his preseason debut. However, much of the uncertainty surrounding his arrival disappeared within the opening half against Golden State. Just two minutes into the first quarter, Kessler used his imposing frame to establish position and secure his first rebound as a Laker. Barely ten seconds later, he recognized an opening near the basket, received the ball and converted a simple layup for his first two points with the franchise.
Yet Kessler’s true value extended far beyond scoring and rebounding. His greatest contribution came from protecting the rim and controlling the paint. During their previous meeting a week earlier, the Warriors had repeatedly attacked the weakened Lakers defense with little resistance. This time, Kessler completely changed the equation. Golden State players appeared increasingly hesitant when driving toward the basket, struggling to create favorable matchups or force the defense into uncomfortable positions. His presence alone discouraged several potential scoring opportunities.
The Lakers’ interior advantage became even more apparent during the second quarter. Kessler effectively established a no-fly zone around the basket while dominating his individual matchup against Warriors reserve center Charles Bassey. He blocked shots, finished alley-oop opportunities and continued collecting rebounds at an impressive rate. Even when Golden State switched to smaller lineups to increase the tempo, Kessler demonstrated surprising mobility by stepping outside, switching defensive assignments and challenging three-point attempts.
His versatility also gave 12BSports NBA followers a clearer picture of how much the Lakers could improve defensively with a reliable center anchoring their lineup. Midway through the second quarter, Kessler delivered another unexpected highlight when he anticipated a Golden State pass with the instincts of a guard and intercepted it cleanly. The Lakers immediately pushed the ball forward, allowing Reaves to knock down a three-pointer in transition. That sequence helped ignite an offensive surge and demonstrated how Kessler’s defensive awareness could generate opportunities at the other end.
By halftime, Kessler had produced an outstanding statistical performance in just 16 minutes. He scored 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, converted three of his four free throws and added nine rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. His plus-minus rating reached an impressive +15, reflecting his influence on both ends of the floor. For a player facing considerable scrutiny before his debut, it was an emphatic response to his critics.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick was visibly delighted with the new arrival. Speaking during a halftime interview, Redick praised Kessler’s ability to influence the game defensively and offensively. He highlighted the center’s intimidating presence around the rim, his ability to secure difficult rebounds in traffic and his impressive blocked shot. Redick was equally encouraged by Kessler’s finishing ability, which provided another dimension to the Lakers’ offensive approach.
Kessler was not the only player making a strong impression. Reaves also delivered a composed performance while taking full responsibility for directing the offense in Doncic’s absence. Without another established ball-dominant star alongside him, Reaves enjoyed the freedom to control possessions, determine attacking patterns and create opportunities according to his own rhythm.
The guard established his scoring presence early in the first quarter through aggressive drives and trips to the free-throw line. As the game progressed, he constantly varied his attacking approach, making it difficult for Golden State defenders to anticipate his next move. When opponents defended closely, Reaves changed speeds and slipped toward the basket for soft floaters. Whenever defenders gave him additional space, he responded with confident three-point attempts, sometimes pulling up from well beyond the arc without hesitation.
His ability to change pace was particularly valuable against a Warriors defense attempting to disrupt his rhythm. Rather than relying on one predictable attacking pattern, Reaves mixed penetration, outside shooting and calculated movement to keep defenders guessing. That adaptability helped him remain productive even when Golden State increased its defensive pressure.
During the second quarter, the Lakers raised their defensive intensity, allowing Reaves to accelerate the tempo and create additional fast-break opportunities. He handled the transition game effectively, helping Los Angeles turn defensive stops into quick points while maintaining offensive continuity between different lineup combinations. His performance reinforced the impression that he could comfortably handle greater playmaking responsibilities when the team’s established stars were unavailable.
Reaves’ four-year, $180 million contract extension this summer also provided the 12BSports audience with another significant development in the Lakers’ changing roster, as many observers considered the agreement a major factor behind LeBron James’ departure. Nevertheless, the guard’s basketball intelligence and ability to build relationships remain difficult to overlook. Both on and off the court, Reaves has developed excellent chemistry with Doncic, creating a partnership built around mutual understanding and complementary offensive strengths. His ability to read situations, adapt to different responsibilities and make intelligent decisions has become increasingly valuable to Los Angeles. Moreover, during several games early last season when both Doncic and James were unavailable, Reaves stepped up with performances worthy of a genuine superstar, demonstrating that his influence extends well beyond a supporting role.