Lakers open life after LeBron with a 35-point lead over the Warriors

The Lakers' first night without LeBron James looked a lot like a team that already knows whose it is. Luka Doncic scored 28 points in three quarters, Walker Kessler went 12 for 12 for 26 points in his debut, and Los Angeles beat the Golden State Warriors 127-105 on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena, leading by as many as 35.

James left for Philadelphia in the offseason, and the Lakers spent a pile of draft capital to bring Kessler over from Utah, a move the Associated Press tied to Doncic's wish for a top center. Night one made the case for it. Kessler caught a Doncic lob for a dunk on the first possession and finished with 10 dunks, the most by a Laker since Shaquille O'Neal in 2003, according to the NBA. AP said only Wilt Chamberlain, at 14 for 14 in 1969, has made more shots without a miss in a Lakers game.

Doncic brought the edge. He scored 23 in the first half while trading words and contact with Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, who picked up a technical foul, per AP. Doncic ended the half by banking in a shot from midcourt at the buzzer and pointing at Lendeborg. Afterward he said he knew it was going in before he caught it.

He sat the whole fourth quarter with eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals and five 3-pointers. It was his first competitive game since April 2. Austin Reaves added 23 and made all 10 of his free throws.

For Golden State, the bigger worry is the roster. Stephen Curry scored 23 to start his 18th season, but the Warriors went 8 of 36 from 3 and were outscored 36-16 in the third quarter. Brandin Podziemski sat with back soreness, and Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis and Moses Moody are out long term. That leaves Curry leaning on Lendeborg, Brandon Williams and Gui Santos, who combined for 38.

It is one October game. Still, the early picture of this team is clear enough: Doncic runs it, and Kessler finishes what he throws.

The Lakers get a quick test of that on Friday against the Clippers. Golden State hosts Memphis the same night.