Lakers Add Looney’s Leadership as Dončić Rallies Fans Behind Team

WHO:

RealGM Basketball - Walker Kessler made his Lakers debut after Los Angeles acquired him from the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade.

RealGM Basketball - JJ Redick started Luka Dončić, Walker Kessler, Austin Reaves, Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams; Reaves added 23 points and six assists.

RealGM Basketball - Golden State played without Jimmy Butler III, Brandin Podziemski, Kristaps Porzingis, Moses Moody and Charles Bassey.

NY Post - Kevon Looney is returning to Los Angeles and is described in the article as a veteran leader for the Lakers.

ESPN - Luka Dončić is a Lakers star who addressed Los Angeles fans in a full-page advertisement in the Los Angeles Times.

ESPN - The Lakers’ roster has changed since their 2020 championship, when LeBron James and Anthony Davis led the team. Anthony Davis was traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Dončić, and James left in free agency to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.

WHAT:

ESPN - Dončić wrote, “Every player dreams of holding that trophy,” and said winning the championship for the fans “would mean everything to us.”

ESPN - Dončić said fans welcomed him “with open arms” from the moment he arrived in Los Angeles and that he would never forget it.

RealGM Basketball - The Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors 127-105 in their season opener. Dončić scored 28 points, grabbed eight rebounds and had seven assists.

RealGM Basketball - Kessler went 12-for-12 from the field, finishing with 26 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. His 10 dunks were the most by a Laker since Shaquille O’Neal in 2003.

RealGM Basketball - Kessler was the first Laker to make every shot on at least 12 attempts since Wilt Chamberlain in 1969.

RealGM Basketball - Dončić said, “That's just the first game. I think our ceiling is even higher,” and called it “a lot of honor to be the face of the franchise.”

RealGM Basketball - Dončić led a 17-4 run to end the second quarter, capped by a banked-in 49-footer at the halftime buzzer; he also exchanged words with Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg.

RealGM Basketball - Stephen Curry scored 23 points for Golden State, including 16 in the first quarter.

NY Post - Looney said he had not expected his next NBA move to bring him back to Los Angeles after the 2025–26 season.

NY Post - Looney described his season in New Orleans as “weird.”

ESPN - Dončić wrote that the Lakers were beginning their championship run and said, “tonight we start our run for a championship.”

ESPN - Dončić wrote, “We have a special team,” and promised the team would do everything in its power to meet fans’ expectations.

ESPN - Dončić promised, “we are going to give you everything we have, every single night. No excuses. No nights off.”

ESPN - Dončić called for fans to attend and support the team, writing, “Every game, bring it with us.”

ESPN - The Lakers’ most recent championship was in 2020.

WHERE:

NY Post - Looney returned to Los Angeles after playing in New Orleans.

ESPN - Dončić’s advertisement appeared in the Los Angeles Times and addressed the city of Los Angeles.

WHEN:

ESPN - The Lakers’ season opener against the Golden State Warriors was scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.

WHY:

ESPN - Dončić said winning a championship for Lakers fans would mean everything to the team.

RealGM Basketball - Kessler said he stepped up when Dončić drove and played in the pocket when Dončić was doubled; Dončić called Kessler’s game “Very impressive.”

ESPN - Dončić said fan support was needed, writing, “But we cannot do this alone,” and called the Lakers’ fans “the best fans in the world.”

NY Post - Looney’s return to Los Angeles followed what he called a “weird” season in New Orleans.

HOW:

NY Post - Looney’s return to Los Angeles was described as a “full-circle moment” when the Lakers opened their regular season.

ESPN - Dončić appealed to fans through a full-page newspaper advertisement and quoted a promise of effort from the team.

The Lakers opened their season with a 127-to-105 win over the Golden State Warriors, as Luka Dončić and new teammate Walker Kessler powered the offense. Dončić finished with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Kessler made all 12 shots, scoring 26 points with nine rebounds and two blocks. His 10 dunks were the most by a Laker since Shaquille O’Neal in 2003. Austin Reaves added 23 points and six assists, while Stephen Curry led Golden State with 23. Dončić capped a late second-quarter run with a 49-foot bank shot at the buzzer. In a full-page Los Angeles Times ad, he thanked fans for welcoming him and said a championship for them would mean everything. He promised the team would give its all every night and urged fans to bring their support. Veteran Kevon Looney is also returning to Los Angeles after a “weird” season in New Orleans.