Walker Kessler’s first half as a Laker: 14 points on 7 of 7 FG’s with 5 boards and a block. He was +10.

Luka, enjoying some banter with rookie Yaxel Lendeborg throughout the half, punctuated a 23-point scoring effort with a banked 3 at the buzzer to put LA up 66-52. I asked him the most consecutive shots he's hit from midcourt before and he guessed 5 ... seems like it's more.

The 2nd PF on Draymond Green comes after Walker Kessler's offensive rebound, which kept possession with LA and ended up with the 2nd LaRavia 3. Kessler then added another offensive board to put back Thybulle's miss, putting LA up 41-35. Kessler has 10 points.

After a strong shooting preseason for Jake LaRavia coming off a tough end to his previous campaign from the perimeter, he opened tonight by drilling a 3 from the corner in the final minute to put LA up 34-33 after 12 minutes.

Curry was terrific early for GSW, scoring 16 of their 1st 21 points, before sitting in a tie game. Dončić quickly added his 2nd triple to reach 10 points with 3 early assists, putting LA up 3. We'll see how the shorthanded Warriors cope offensively as Curry gets his first rest.

Walker Kessler already has two lob catches for buckets from Luka Dončić, and a dunk from Williams with LA going up 10-5 early. LA's starting wings are flexible, but Grimes coming off the bench tonight makes sense considering Sexton's absence and a need for bench ballhandling.

Williams and Thybulle join Doncic, Reaves and Kessler in the starting lineup for the opener against GSW.

The Lakers won 53 games last year with 40 different starting lineups, and JJ Redick has been clear that (at least some) starters are somewhat fluid in the modern NBA. He does find comfort in the depth this year: “We have 7 or 8 guys that can start.”

We did a full preview of tonight’s season opener between the Lakers and Warriors on Lakers Talk with me and @geeter3, with guests @anthonyVslater and @BenGolliver: youtu.be/wikbtEd8XM4?list=TL…

On right now, @anthonyVslater tells us Steph Curry practiced today after leaving yesterday's open practice early, and is expected to play on Wednesday against the Lakers, even if his minutes are slightly limited to high 20's or low 30's.

Sandro Mamukelashvili shot 55.6% overall and 52.4% from 3 towards 13.4 points in only 19.9 minutes per preseason game, plus 3.4 assists. His release on his 3 is easy and smooth:

Collin Sexton said he felt good physically in practice today after participating fully for the first time: “I was super excited to be back out there. It was a great day.” We’ll see how he feels tomorrow ahead of Wednesday’s season opener.

JJ Redick said Collin Sexton was a full participant in Monday’s practice. Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr were not.

Last season, JJ Redick won 53 games despite using 40 different starting lineups. Gabe Vincent started Game 1, and Luke Kennard Game 82. For 2026-27, how much does it matter which two wings start alongside Dončić/Reaves/Kessler on Wednesday? Not much! miketrudell10.substack.com/p…

Part 2!! I asked @iztok_franko what it was like falling in love with the game of basketball in Slovenia 🇸🇮 , how he’s observed the rapid star rise of Luka Dončić and more: miketrudell10.substack.com/p…