Lakers' new Luka Doncic era opens with rout of Warriors

Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times on Oct 22, 2026

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As soon as Luka Doncic took the microphone to share some words with the Lakers’ faithful before their first game of the regular season Wednesday night, it was official that this was his team.

“Um, Laker nation. Thank you for supporting us,” Doncic said. “It’s the start of something new. It’s going to be a special season. So, thank you for your support.”

Then the game started and Doncic went right to work, throwing a lob pass to Walker Kessler for a dunk against Golden State at Crypto.com Arena.

Indeed it was the start of the Luka Doncic Show that included him finding an antagonist to direct his ire during the Lakers’ 127-105 win over the Warriors.

Doncic and Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg got into a little beef in the second quarter, leading to the Lakers All-Star guard to put in a little more effort while producing 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists with six turnovers.

Doncic got help from Kessler, the offseason acquisition in a sign-and-trade deal with Utah who was a force with 26 points on 12-for-12 shooting, nine rebounds and two blocked shot in his debut. Austin Reaves had 23 points and six assists.

LeBron James ran the Lakers the previous eight seasons, so much evolving around him, his voice and play always a strong presence. Last season was the first time with the Lakers that James didn’t play in the season opener, missing the game because of sciatica.

But James has taken his talents to Philadelphia to play for the 76ers, leaving Doncic as the man in charge.

“It’s just different. I don’t think it’s different, good, different, bad, different major, different minor, just different,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said about not having James around anymore. “And we like our team. We’re focused on our team.”

Redick, who said he has texted with James, was asked what he missed about him.

“What do I miss about him? I really appreciate consistency in approach,” Redick said. “I think that’s kind of what was important to me as a player and what was important to me as teammates. There was a good feeling to know every time you get in the building, that he’d probably be in the weight room getting ready to go.”

When Doncic was fouled by Lendeborg with two minutes and 28 seconds left in the second quarter, the two exchanged words. As they headed toward their benches during the timeout, Doncic glared at Lendeborg.

The two kept up the trash talking in the second quarter, leading to a technical foul on Lendeborg. Doncic smiled at the first-year rookie and then made the technical-foul free throw. Then Doncic made a half-court three-pointer with Lendeborg nearby, pointing at him after the ball settled through the net to give the Lakers a 66-52 lead at the intermission.

Early in the third quarter, Doncic was back at it, throwing a behind-the-back pass to Kessler for a dunk.

It was that kind of night for Doncic, who began the day by paying for parking for fans in a lot near the arena.

The only bad news for the Lakers was Jake LaRavia injuring his ankle late in the fourth quarter and was escorted to the locker room.

Etc.

Lakers point guard Collin Sexton missed the game because of a right soleus strain. Sexton, who signed a two-year, $19.2-million deal with the Lakers as a free agent over the summer, missed all five preseason games. Sexton had participated in practices recently.

“No setback, no setback,” Redick said. “Collaborative decision with performance, everyone involved. I always say this, with soft tissue injuries, the athlete has to have confidence and full confidence.”

Lakers second-year forward Adou Thiero missed the season opener because of a left knee effusion and swelling, Redick said.

“Yeah, he’s got some swelling. Definitely something we’ll have to continue to monitor,” Redck said. “He’ll be shut down for a couple days and then he’ll ramp back up. So he’s day to day, too.”

Rookie Cameron Carr didn’t play because of a right oblique strain.

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