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Brooklyn Nets at Miami Heat
2026-27 · Preseason · Preseason
Walker Kessler impresses in Lakers preseason debut as Redick pushes ‘relentless’
In his first Lakers exhibition after a pinkie delay, Walker Kessler posted 11 points and nine rebounds in a half, drew JJ Redick’s praise, and gave Los Angeles a +15 swing while he was on the floor.
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LAS VEGAS — Oct. 14, 2026 — Walker Kessler made his Los Angeles Lakers preseason debut on Tuesday and left a clear first impression: 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, nine rebounds, a block and a steal in only the first half of a 101-89 loss to the Golden State Warriors, Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported.
In the 16 minutes Kessler played, the Lakers outscored Golden State by 15. In the 32 minutes he sat, the Warriors outscored Los Angeles by 27.
From shoulder surgery to a pinkie delay
It had been 347 days since Kessler’s last NBA appearance, on Oct. 31 of last season with the Utah Jazz, before season-ending surgery on a torn labrum in his left shoulder. After an offseason sign-and-trade to Los Angeles — a four-year, $130 million deal plus two unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps, per reports — he jammed his left pinkie early in camp and missed the Lakers’ first three exhibitions. Kessler called the holdout precautionary. Tuesday’s half still leaves him time for the Friday home game against Denver before the regular-season opener against Golden State on Oct. 22.
Redick’s word: relentless
Coach JJ Redick said Kessler is “a great fit” and praised his floor running, traffic rebounds and rim protection. The challenge Redick has given him is to be relentless on both ends — running, diving, screening and crashing. Kessler said he and Redick landed on that same word for the season, meaning no plays off and a constant paint presence.
Austin Reaves, who led the Lakers with 28 points and seven assists, said Kessler created several open threes by rolling hard and pulling the opposing big toward the rim. Sandro Mamukelashvili called him an impact rim protector after his own 10-point, seven-rebound night. Luka Doncic sat for rest; Cameron Carr, Ziaire Williams, Adou Thiero and Collin Sexton were listed day-to-day, Redick said.
Sources cited by name: Dave McMenamin of ESPN; JJ Redick; Walker Kessler; Austin Reaves; Sandro Mamukelashvili.
WhyNBA Sports Desk
The WhyNBA Sports Desk writes basketball explainers and dated news briefs. Official references stay with each guide.
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