Lakers Celebrate in Opener of Post-LeBron Era

The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off a new chapter without LeBron James in convincing fashion: routing the Golden State Warriors 127-105 in their 2026/2027 NBA season opener at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday (10/22/2026) morning WIB (Western Indonesian Time). The Lakers led 66-52 at halftime, then went on a 36-16 tear in the third quarter to build a 35-point lead.

This victory answered public doubts following the departure of LeBron James — a four-time NBA MVP — who joined the Philadelphia 76ers this summer as a free agent. The Lakers overhauled their squad with nine new players, and all of them gelled immediately in the opening contest.

Kessler 12-for-12: The Pricey Debut That Paid Off Instantly

Walker Kessler enjoyed a dream debut in a Lakers jersey with 26 points on a perfect 12-for-12 shooting — 10 of which were dunks — to go along with 9 rebounds and 2 blocks. He was acquired from the Utah Jazz at a hefty price: unprotected 2031 and 2033 first-round picks plus pick swaps in 2028 and 2030.

Those 12 shots without a single miss mark the second-most in Lakers history, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain, who shot 14-for-14 in March 1969. According to StatMuse, Kessler's 26 points also set a record for the most points scored in an NBA season opener without missing a field goal.

Lakers legend Shaquille O'Neal showered high praise, calling Kessler the best big man in the NBA right now. Kessler admitted he was captivated by the atmosphere in his new home: 'The energy here is unbelievable... their fan base is ridiculous, the energy is unbelievable.'

Doncic Sizzles, Curry Sits Out the Fourth Quarter

Luka Doncic served as the engine of the Lakers' offense with 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists in just three quarters. He tallied 23 points in the first half, including a bank shot from near half-court right as the halftime buzzer sounded. Throughout the game, Doncic engaged in a heated verbal exchange with Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, resulting in a technical foul for the rookie. Austin Reaves contributed 23 points.

Stephen Curry paced the Warriors with 23 points to start his 18th career season — scoring 20 of them in the first half. However, the star guard added only 3 points in the third quarter before sitting out the entire fourth quarter once the game slipped out of reach.

The Warriors were indeed depleted with several key players sidelined: Brandin Podziemski (lower back), Charles Bassey (knee), Moses Moody and Jimmy Butler (knee injuries, expected to return in January), and Kristaps Porzingis (health issues, no timetable to return). Lendeborg, as a rookie, proved to be a surprise contributor with 12 points in his debut.

Chants of 'We Want Bronny' Cap Off the Party

Near the end of the game, echoing chants of 'We want Bronny' reverberated across Crypto.com Arena. Head coach JJ Redick put Bronny James into the game late in the fourth quarter, and the son of LeBron James answered immediately with a floater to push the Lakers' lead to 127-100 — greeted by an eruption of cheers from the crowd.

This opening win serves as valuable momentum for the Lakers in their new era. The Lakers next host the LA Clippers on Friday, while the Warriors host Memphis on the same day.