JJ Redick credited a late addition to the Los Angeles Lakers’ offense with helping Walker Kessler turn his regular-season debut into a perfect shooting night.
After Wednesday’s 127-105 win over the Golden State Warriors, Redick pointed to a spacing set the Lakers had introduced in practice two days earlier.
The coach said Kessler benefited from teammates attacking off the dribble.
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.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 22, 2026
Redick also credited the center’s effort getting up the floor, saying his production began “with his end-to-end transition running.”
Kessler finished with 26 points on 12-of-12 shooting, nine rebounds and two blocks.
The result gave Los Angeles an immediate return from its new center, but Redick’s explanation offered something more useful than the shooting percentage alone: two ways the Lakers helped him find opportunities without asking him to manufacture difficult shots.
One involved reaching the other end quickly. The other came from arranging the offense so he could capitalize when a teammate penetrated the defense.
Walker Kessler’s movement gives Lakers another way to attack
The transition component puts responsibility on Kessler before a pass ever reaches him. A center who runs hard toward the basket can force defenders to account for the rim while they are still trying to locate the ball and pick up their assignments.
Redick’s assessment also connected that effort to put-backs and additional opportunities. Getting into the play early gives the center a chance to remain involved even when the first scoring attempt does not produce a basket.
Kessler had a lighter explanation for his willingness to cover ground.
“Contrary to my name, I run a lot,” Kessler said.
The comment fit the work his coach had just emphasized. The new spacing set addressed a different part of the offense.
Redick’s description identified teammates’ penetration as the action Kessler benefited from. When a defender has to react to a drive, the player near the basket can become a passing option.
That is a valuable division of responsibility for a team playing through Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The guards can pressure the defense with the ball, while Kessler makes himself available to finish the possession.
The scoring was distributed across all three in the opener. The final numbers showed Doncic leading the group with 28 points and Reaves adding 23.
| Player | Points | Other production |
|---|---|---|
| Luka Doncic | 28 | 8 rebounds, 7 assists |
| Walker Kessler | 26 | 12-of-12 shooting, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks |
| Austin Reaves | 23 | 6 assists |
Together, they accounted for 77 of the Lakers’ 127 points. Kessler’s contribution was nearly as large as Doncic’s, an encouraging result for an offense that can use its center as the recipient of advantages created elsewhere.
Kessler’s finishing builds on an earlier sign of his fit
There had already been evidence that Kessler’s movement could help the Lakers, even when someone else took the shot.
Following his preseason appearance against Golden State, Reaves credited Kessler’s forceful rolls with creating several open 3-point opportunities, as detailed in Lakers Daily’s coverage of that debut.
Those possessions and Wednesday’s finishing illustrate the choices a rolling center can create. If help comes toward him, another player may become available outside.
If the defense stays with the ball-handler or perimeter options, the pass to the basket can open.
There is still another part of the partnership to develop. Before the opener, Doncic discussed Kessler’s adjustment to Denver’s aggressive pick-and-roll coverage during the preseason finale.
A trap can require the center to receive the ball away from the rim and make the next decision.
Finishing a pass at the basket and deciding where to move the ball behind a blitz are different assignments, and success at one does not automatically settle the other.
Wednesday nevertheless gave the Lakers a strong example of what can happen when they create finishing chances for Kessler. His confidence heading into the game had not been quite as effortless as the final shooting line suggested.
“I definitely was a little nervous going into the game,” Kessler said.
"I definitely was a little nervous going into the game. Just so thankful and so grateful for how it went."
Walker Kessler (26 PTS (12-12 FG), 9 REB, AST, 2 BLK) talks with the media after the #LakeShow begins the regular season with a 127-105 win over the Golden State Warriors. pic.twitter.com/VnTrxu8kmp
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) October 22, 2026
Redick had discussed the expectations attached to Kessler’s new role with him. After the opener, his assessment was straightforward.
“I think it was a good opening statement for him,” Redick said.
"I think it's a big deal when it's your first game as a Laker. We've had conversations; he (Kessler) understands what this is and the pressures that come with it. I think it was a good opening statement for him."
JJ Redick addresses the media after the #LakeShow begins the… pic.twitter.com/r33PJBcmGt
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) October 22, 2026
The Lakers now have a productive starting point for that partnership: Kessler running into opportunities, the guards finding him and a newly installed set already contributing to his scoring.
