Three takeaways from LA’s season-opening win: miketrudell10.substack.com/p…

Kessler quipped: “Contrary to my name, I run a lot.”

JJ Redick said he thought Walker Kessler’s strong game started “with his end-to-end transition running,” which resulted in some put-backs and extra chances. He also noted a spacing set that originated two days ago in practice and how Kessler benefitted from dribble penetration.

Luka Dončić noted Walker Kessler’s strong start as a Laker, saying that he did a nice job of reading when to roll for the lob towards his 12-for-12 debut with 10 dunks, and summarized: “Very impressive game for him.”

Jake LaRavia, who had a strong preseason and was 4 for 5 with a pair of 3's for 10 bench points in 18 minutes (+14) tonight, appeared to roll his ankle with 5:34 to play.

The Lakers dominated the 3rd Q, 36-16, to push their lead to 102-68 heading into the 4th Q. Doncic: 28 points, 8 boards, 7 assists Reaves: 19 points, 4 assists, 2 steals Kessler: 22 points, 11 of 11 FG's, 10 dunks, 8 boards Grimes/LaRavia: 10 bench points apiece

Kessler is up to 10 dunks towards 22 points ... Dave Pasch said on the ESPN broadcast that it's the most dunks by a Laker since Shaq in 2003. Lakers lead 87-59 midway through the 3rd Q.

Kessler keeps dunking, his 8th of the game in 9 FG's towards 20 points. Lakers up 22.

Kessler keeps dunking. Lakers up 22.

A quick start to the 3rd Q sees LA's halftime lead grow quickly to 72-54, highlighted by a pretty behind-the-back pass from Dončić (4 assists) for yet another Kessler dunk.

Walker Kessler’s first half as a Laker: 14 points on 7 of 7 FG’s with 5 boards and a block. He was +10.

Luka, enjoying some banter with rookie Yaxel Lendeborg throughout the half, punctuated a 23-point scoring effort with a banked 3 at the buzzer to put LA up 66-52. I asked him the most consecutive shots he's hit from midcourt before and he guessed 5 ... seems like it's more.

The 2nd PF on Draymond Green comes after Walker Kessler's offensive rebound, which kept possession with LA and ended up with the 2nd LaRavia 3. Kessler then added another offensive board to put back Thybulle's miss, putting LA up 41-35. Kessler has 10 points.

After a strong shooting preseason for Jake LaRavia coming off a tough end to his previous campaign from the perimeter, he opened tonight by drilling a 3 from the corner in the final minute to put LA up 34-33 after 12 minutes.

Curry was terrific early for GSW, scoring 16 of their 1st 21 points, before sitting in a tie game. Dončić quickly added his 2nd triple to reach 10 points with 3 early assists, putting LA up 3. We'll see how the shorthanded Warriors cope offensively as Curry gets his first rest.

Walker Kessler already has two lob catches for buckets from Luka Dončić, and a dunk from Williams with LA going up 10-5 early. LA's starting wings are flexible, but Grimes coming off the bench tonight makes sense considering Sexton's absence and a need for bench ballhandling.

Williams and Thybulle join Doncic, Reaves and Kessler in the starting lineup for the opener against GSW.

The Lakers won 53 games last year with 40 different starting lineups, and JJ Redick has been clear that (at least some) starters are somewhat fluid in the modern NBA. He does find comfort in the depth this year: “We have 7 or 8 guys that can start.”

We did a full preview of tonight’s season opener between the Lakers and Warriors on Lakers Talk with me and @geeter3, with guests @anthonyVslater and @BenGolliver: youtu.be/wikbtEd8XM4?list=TL…