Luka Dončić (No. 77) with the Lakers at Cleveland, Jan. 28, 2026. Photo: Erik Drost via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Cropped.
The LeBron James era is over in Los Angeles. On opening night, the Luka Dončić era looked ready to take over.
The Lakers opened the 2026-27 NBA season by routing the Golden State Warriors 127-105 at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Dončić scored 28 points in three quarters, new center Walker Kessler made all 12 of his shots, and the Lakers led by as many as 35, according to AP and the Warriors' own recap on NBA.com.
It was the franchise's first game since James left in free agency for the Philadelphia 76ers (ESPN). One win doesn't decide anything, but nobody in purple and gold will mind this start.
Sources: ESPN box score, NBA.com, Warriors.com recap.
Key points
- Final score: Lakers 127, Warriors 105
- Luka Dončić: 28 pts (7-18 FG, 5-12 3PT, 9-9 FT), 8 reb, 7 ast in 30 min
- Walker Kessler (debut): 26 pts on 12-of-12, 9 reb, 2 blk, 10 dunks
- Austin Reaves: 23 pts, 10-of-10 FT
- Stephen Curry: 23 pts (7-15 FG, 2-7 3PT, 7-7 FT) in 21 min
- Third quarter: Lakers 36, Warriors 16
- Biggest lead: 35 points
- Warriors from three: 8-of-36 (22.2%)
What happened
Golden State actually started hot. Curry, beginning his 18th season, scored 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting in the first quarter, and the Warriors trailed only 34-33 after one (Warriors.com).
Then the Lakers took over. They won the second quarter 32-19 and the third 36-16 to turn the game into a blowout (NBA.com line score). Dončić sat out the fourth quarter. Curry finished with 23 points in 21 minutes.
Coach JJ Redick started Dončić, Reaves, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle and Kessler, the lineup the Los Angeles Times reported before tip-off and the ESPN box score confirms.
The buzzer-beater and the trash talk
The moment everyone is clipping came right before halftime. Dončić scored 23 first-half points while he and Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg went at each other physically and verbally the whole half. Lendeborg was given a technical foul for something he said. Then Dončić banked in a half-court shot at the buzzer and pointed at the angry rookie, AP reported.
Lendeborg, the No. 11 overall pick, didn't back down. He finished with 12 points in his NBA debut. "This was a great welcome to the NBA game for him," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said (Warriors.com).
Kessler's perfect night
The Lakers traded a lot of draft capital to Utah for Kessler. In his first game, he looked worth it.
The 7-foot-2 center finished a lob from Dončić on the Lakers' first possession and didn't miss again all night: 26 points on 12-of-12 shooting, nine rebounds and two blocks. According to AP, his 12 makes without a miss are the second-most in Lakers history, behind only Wilt Chamberlain's 14-for-14 in March 1969. He also had 10 dunks, and the Warriors' recap says no Laker had done that in a game since Shaquille O'Neal in 2003.
It was Kessler's first competitive game since last Halloween because of injury (AP).
The LA Times ad promise
Dončić made his pitch before the game even started. In a full-page ad in Wednesday's Los Angeles Times, he wrote: "Tonight we start our run for a championship." He ended with a promise: "We are going to give you everything we have, every single night. No excuses. No nights off." (ESPN, Yahoo Sports)
Night one: promise kept.
Critics vs. believers
Not everyone is sold. On ESPN's NBA Today, Kendrick Perkins called the Lakers one of the best offensive teams in the league, then added: "I also believe that they're gonna be a play-in team because there's another side of the basketball." He specifically questioned Kessler's preseason energy (via Yahoo Sports).
On opening night, the defense held Golden State to 22.2% from three, and Kessler was the best player on the floor. The real test is whether they can do it again on a bad night, against a healthier opponent. Golden State was missing Brandin Podziemski, Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porziņģis and Moses Moody (AP).
The Lakers were shorthanded too, without Collin Sexton (calf) and rookie Cameron Carr (oblique). Jake LaRavia left limping in the fourth quarter.
What's next
The Lakers (1-0) host the LA Clippers on Friday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. PT (10 p.m. ET). They then visit Utah, Kessler's old team, on Sunday (ESPN schedule). The Warriors get their rematch at home on Oct. 30.
Why it matters
This was the Lakers' first game after LeBron James left for Philadelphia, and it gave fans a first look at a team built around Dončić. Kessler's perfect debut and a dominant third quarter are encouraging, but one win against a shorthanded Warriors side proves little. The real test is how this group defends over the long season.
FAQ
What was the final score of Lakers vs. Warriors?
The Lakers won 127-105 on Oct. 21, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena.
How many points did Luka Dončić score?
He had 28 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists in 30 minutes, with 23 of the points in the first half.
What did Walker Kessler do in his Lakers debut?
He scored 26 points on 12-of-12 shooting with nine rebounds, two blocks and 10 dunks.
Why did Yaxel Lendeborg get a technical?
AP says the rookie was called for something he said during his running back-and-forth with Dončić.
Is LeBron James still on the Lakers?
No. He signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency.
When do the Lakers play next?
Friday, Oct. 23, at home against the LA Clippers at 7 p.m. PT.
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Sources
- AP: Lakers rout Warriors 127-105 behind Walker Kessler's perfect shooting debut
- ESPN: Box score and game recap
- NBA.com: Game summary
- NBA.com/Warriors: Warriors drop season opener to Lakers
- ESPN: Luka Dončić asks Lakers fans to support 'special team'
- Yahoo Sports: Dončić takes out full-page ad in LA Times
- Los Angeles Times (via Yahoo): Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle grab final two starting spots
- Yahoo Sports / Pro Football Network: Perkins: 'They're gonna be a play-in team'
- ESPN: Lakers 2026-27 schedule
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