Walker Kessler Shakes Off Rust Against Nikola Jokic, Aims for Stronger Lakers Season
After overcoming shoulder surgery, Lakers' new center faced a steep challenge in preseason play against the Serbian superstar.
Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler acknowledged that facing Nikola Jokic in a preseason game helped him shed the rust accumulated during a lengthy recovery from shoulder surgery. Kessler, who missed most of last season after tearing his left labrum, played 31 minutes in the Lakers' 121-106 exhibition loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday, finishing with six points, six rebounds, four assists, two blocked shots, and one steal.
"It knocked off a lot of rust," Kessler said. "There was a pile in my locker. There’s a reason why he is who he is. He’s arguably the best big in the league and best player in the league."
Kessler had not played in a competitive basketball game for 347 days before the preseason began. He had an encouraging preseason debut against the Golden State Warriors, scoring 11 points with nine rebounds, one block, and one steal in the first half of a Lakers exhibition loss. However, the matchup with Jokic, a three-time MVP and 2023 NBA champion, presented a significantly higher level of competition.
Jokic recorded 17 points on efficient 7-for-8 shooting, including 3-for-4 from three-point range, along with six rebounds, eight assists, and two steals in 31 minutes against the Lakers.
Kessler was acquired by the Lakers in the offseason via a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz. The Lakers committed to a four-year, $130 million contract and sent two future unprotected first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps to Utah. Kessler is regarded as one of the league's premier rim protectors and rebounders. In the five games he played last season before his injury, he averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, three assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.4 blocks.
His impact was noticeable in the Lakers' preseason loss to the Warriors. In the 16 minutes Kessler was on the court, the Lakers outscored the Warriors by 15 points. Conversely, when he was on the bench for 32 minutes, they were outscored by 27. The Lakers finished 20th in defensive rating last season, and Kessler's ability to protect the rim is expected to bolster their defense.
"It’s been a long time since I’ve really competed against someone like that. I mean since November basically of last year," Kessler added. "So definitely it was nice to get that in before it actually counts."