Prized Lakers offseason acquisition Walker Kessler made his preseason debut on Tuesday night, contributing 11 points, nine rebounds, one blocked shot and one steal in 15 minutes during a 101-89 loss to the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
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Kessler, who the Lakers acquired in a sign-and-trade deal with the Utah Jazz this summer and subsequently signed to a four-year, $130 million contract to be their franchise center, sat out the three previous preseason games after jamming his pinky finger against the backboard during a practice.
The 7-foot-2 center posted a team-high plus-15 rating before sitting out the second half of the team’s penultimate preseason game, which saw the Lakers squander a 20-point lead and turn the ball over 30 times in their second exhibition loss to the Warriors this month.
Outside of Kessler’s debut, star guard Austin Reaves led the way for the Lakers, finishing with 28 points (10-for-18 shooting), seven assists (and seven turnovers) and four rebounds in 25 minutes. Forward/center Sandro Mamukelashvili added 10 points and seven rebounds, showcasing solid playmaking skills during his 21 minutes.
Luka Doncic, however, didn’t play Tuesday, with Lakers coach JJ Redick telling reporters before the game that it was a planned off day for the Slovenian star and specified that the NBA’s leading scorer last season is not injured. Doncic still went through pregame warmups Tuesday.
Two-way contract player Arthur Kaluma made his preseason debut after missing the first three games with an undisclosed lower-body injury. Center Rafael Castro – who the Lakers signed to an exhibit-10 contract for the final two games of the preseason, waiving former training camp signing William Kyle III to make room for the big man who was previously signed to a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets – also played against the Warriors.
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Forward Ziaire Williams (foot contusion), guard Collin Sexton (lower-leg injury), wing Adou Thiero (undisclosed) and rookie guard Cameron Carr (undisclosed) are all day-to-day after the Lakers ruled them out before the game, Redick said.
Sexton, who signed a two-year, $19 million contract with the Lakers this offseason, has yet to play in the preseason.
Rookie forward Yaxel Landeborg led the Warriors in scoring with 17 points, but he exited in the third quarter after twisting his ankle.
The Lakers close their preseason slate on Friday night at home against the Denver Nuggets (7:30 p.m.) before turning their attention to next Wednesday when they host the Warriors in their season opener at 7 p.m.
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