Walker Kessler debuts, Luka Doncic sits in Lakers

LAS VEGAS — The plan for the Lakers had been to flip their fourth preseason recreation into a gown rehearsal for the upcoming season.

But that was not the case.

The Lakers did get the preseason debut of middle Walker Kessler on Tuesday evening, a good signal for them to see their largest acquisition of the summer season play.

But on the flip facet, Luka Doncic didn’t play in the Lakers’ 101-89 loss to the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena because he was resting.

“He’s not injured, just getting the night off,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said.

So, it was left up to Kessler, Austin Reaves and the remaining of the out there Lakers to type issues out. And Reaves and Kessler have been on level.

In just his second preseason recreation, Reaves was doing what is predicted of him, scoring 28 factors on 10-for-18 capturing, including 4 for seven on three-pointers, with seven assists and 4 rebounds. But pressured to deal with the ball more with Doncic out, Reaves also had seven turnovers.

Kessler began and had 11 factors, 9 rebounds, one blocked shot and one steal in 16 minutes.

For the Lakers, it was good to see Kessler on the court. They gave up a lot to purchase him in a commerce with the Utah Jazz — two unprotected first-round picks and two choose swaps and then signing him to a four-year, $130-million contract.

Kessler performed in only 5 video games last season while recovering from a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

He missed the first three Lakers’ preseason video games because of a left pinky injury.

Kessler yearned to play again.

“Yeah, I mean it was a lot of fun being out there again,” he said. “It’s been so long. Before the game I was actually pretty nervous, to be honest. But, getting out there and just playing with the guys, it was a blast. I can’t really, you know speak to … I think I have a certain presence on the floor, but I think my teammates around me did a great job of playing defense on the perimeter. I think we shared the ball really well tonight. Just how it was, especially in the first half. It was a lot of fun.”

He started his evening with a defensive rebound, which allowed the Lakers to set up their offense early in the first quarter.

Kessler then cut to the basket, took a cross from Reaves and scored on a layup, his first factors of the preseason.

His second basket was a left-handed layup early in the second quarter. Shortly after, Kessler blocked a shot by Warriors middle Charles Bassey from behind, a show of his defensive presence.

Another good signal, less than a minute later, was when Kessler obtained an offensive rebound and bounded back up for a dunk.

When the Warriors went to their small-ball lineup in the first quarter, it meant the 7-foot-2 Kessler could be examined on protection, because his man was 6-2 Gary Payton II. It meant Kessler was pressured to play protection on the perimeter and not down low where the Lakers want him.

Still, Kessler held his own.

While he was out and unable to play, Kessler realized a few issues about himself.

“Yeah, I think what I missed most was competing,” Kessler said. “Quite frankly, competing to win, and I think as far as making me a better basketball player, I just think it has made me long to go try to win every game and win every night. So returning, I think it makes me a little better basketball player.”

The Lakers misplaced to the Warriors for the second time this preseason. Their other two video games have been victories over the Sacramento Kings. They play one more preseason recreation, Friday evening against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena, and then open the season against the Warriors at home on Oct. 21.

Before the sport, Redick said the plan was for the Lakers to “continue to work on us.”

“We have kind of circled this game, not as a full dress rehearsal, just in terms of our scout presentation, but we gave the guys a sample of that this morning and at shoot-ariund,” Redick said. “Not as much game-planning necessarily, but just kind of the sequencing of how we present prior to a game. We’ll do the same thing pregame with a brief personnel tape. We just want to get better. I mean, that’s the biggest thing. We want to get healthy, we want to get better, we want to continue to build our fitness and cardio level and find a rhythm. And it’s been a little disjointed with having some guys out.”

Redick said rookie Cameron Carr, guard Collin intimacyton (decrease leg) and forwards Ziaire Williams (proper foot contusion) and Adou Thiero (undisclosed) “are still day to day” with their accidents.