Latest news and updates about the Lakers
The New York Knicks emerge as a potential landing spot for Dalton Knecht after rumored interest in the former first-round pick after the Los Angeles Lakers cut him from their roster.
The Lakers waived former 17th‑overall pick Dalton Knecht to trim their roster to 15 players, making him a free‑agent eligible for a two‑way contract. League sources say both the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves are eyeing Knecht. The Knicks, operating $3 million below the league’s second‑apron cap, see him as a low‑cost, high‑upside option, while the Timberwolves have also shown interest. Knecht, who posted 4.2 points in 54 games last season after a strong rookie start, could soon find a new home.
Yaxel Lendeborg's NBA debut on Wednesday was spent going back and forth with Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić.
The defending NBA champions are reportedly one of multiple teams interested in Dalton Knecht after the former first-round pick was waived by the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers opened the 2026‑27 season with a 127‑105 rout of the Golden State Warriors, showcasing a new identity built around Luka Dončić after LeBron James departed for Philadelphia. Dončić posted 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while rookie big man Walker Kessler dazzled with a perfect 12‑for‑12 shooting night and 26 points, highlighting the roster’s complementary fit. The article argues that a single‑star system may suit the Lakers better than sharing the ball with another generational creator, suggesting the franchise could thrive without James.
The Lakers open the season with a dominant 127-105 win over the Warriors, showcasing a new big‑three led by Luka Dončić (28 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists), rookie Walker Kessler (perfect 12‑for‑12 shooting for 26 points, 9 rebounds) and Austin Reaves (23 points, 6 assists). With Golden State missing key starters and Steph Curry playing on a sprained ankle, L.A. shoots 57% and forces the Dubs to 8‑of‑36 from three. The performance signals a youthful, aggressive Lakers era now that LeBron has left, positioning them as serious West contenders.
The Knicks are among the teams interested in Dalton Knecht following his release by the Lakers, according to Ian Begley of SNY. Knecht is eligible for a two-way contract, giving teams a chance to add the former first-round pick without using a standard roster spot. The Timberwolves have also been linked to Knecht, with Begley […] The post Report: Knicks showing interest in Dalton Knecht appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Hollywood couldn't have scripted a better debut for new Laker Walker Kessler. By the end, the former Auburn center joined legendary company. The post Former Auburn C Walker Kessler posts essentially perfect Los Angeles Lakers debut appeared first on Saturday Down South .
Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg and Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Dončić had quite the back-and-forth during Wednesday night's season-opener for both teams, with Lendeborg ultimately getting hit with a technical foul.
During the Warriors’ season‑opening defeat to the Lakers (127‑105), head coach Steve Kerr is caught on a hot mic accusing the referees of favoring Los Angeles and Luka Dončić. While the Warriors trailed 81‑59 in the third quarter, Kerr whispered to rookie Yaxel Lendeborg that “they wouldn’t call that in any other arena.” The comment sparked post‑game tension, with Lendeborg chastising Dončić and Kerr defending the rookie’s foul calls. Despite the controversy, the blowout suggests the alleged bias didn’t change the outcome.
In a 127-105 Lakers victory over the Warriors on Oct. 21, 2026, rookie forward Ziaire Williams enjoyed seeing Luka Dončić trade trash talk with Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg instead of being on the receiving end. Williams, who posted nine points, four assists, three rebounds and a steal in 24 minutes, said it’s "cool" to be on Luka’s side and praised the youngster’s grit. The game sparked a brief verbal duel, adding another chapter to Dončić’s long history of on‑court banter. The Lakers will meet the Clippers Friday, hoping to keep the momentum.
The Los Angeles Lakers went without a backup point guard in the season opener after Bronny James was so bad in the preseason.
Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg said he lost respect for Luka Dončić after guarding him in his NBA debut during a 127-105 loss to the Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers got a win in their 2026-27 NBA season opener, defeating the Golden State Warriors, 127-105. But one of the main storylines to come out of the game was Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg talking trash to Lakers star Luka Doncic. Luka Doncic obviously got the better of Yaxel Lendeborg during the Lakers’ […] The post Luka Doncic’s ex-Mavericks teammate warns Yaxel Lendeborg about his comments — ‘80 ball next time’ appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Los Angeles Lakers Walker Kessler had a great game against the Golden State Warriors on opening night, but his frontcourt competition was effectively non-existent.
Luka Dončić praised the Lakers’ defensive turnaround after a 33‑point first quarter against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21, 2026. Adjustments at halftime helped the team limit the Warriors to just 35 points over the next 24 minutes, culminating in a 127‑105 victory with a 102‑68 lead entering the fourth. The Lakers posted a 96.5 defensive rating – their sixth‑best of the 2025‑26 season – and rookie Walker Kessler scored 26 points on perfect shooting. Dončić highlighted staying solid and fixing back‑door cuts as key to the “great defensive effort.”
Luka Dončić gave his new center an A+, then Shaquille O’Neal took it a step further. “Walker Kessler is the best big man in the NBA. You heard it here first,” O’Neal said on ESPN’s Inside the NBA after the Lakers’ 127-105 win over the Warriors on Wednesday night. It might be the first time […] The post Shaq Makes Bold Claim After Walker Kessler’s Historic Lakers Debut appeared first on LA Sports Report.
Luka Dončić gave his new center an A+, then Shaquille O’Neal took it a step further. “Walker Kessler is the best big man in the NBA. You heard it here first,” O’Neal said on ESPN’s Inside the NBA after the Lakers’ 127-105 win over the Warriors on Wednesday night. It might be the first time […] The post Shaq Makes Bold Claim After Walker Kessler’s Historic Lakers Debut appeared first on LA Sports Report.
A silver lining to Jake LaRavia's ankle injury: Lakers rookie Cameron Carr could have an easier path to minutes once he returns from his own ailment.
Gordie Chiesa on the Utah Jazz’s blowout loss in the season opener, Walker Kessler’s great Laker debut + more first seen on ESPN700 The former Utah Jazz Assistant Coach on their blowout loss to the Grizzlies in last night’s season opener in Memphis, […] The post Gordie Chiesa on the Utah Jazz’s blowout loss in the season opener, Walker Kessler’s great Laker debut + more first appeared on ESPN700 .
On Wednesday evening, the Golden State Warriors stumbled out of the gates with an ugly loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on the road on opening night. The Warriors managed to stick around in the first half of this one, but ultimately fell apart in the third quarter and ended up losing by a final […] The post Warriors overreactions: Dubs are totally screwed no matter what Stephen Curry does this season appeared first on ClutchPoints .
The newly dubbed "Milk Chamberlain" had a historic night against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.
Warriors forward Draymond Green previewed the opening‑night clash with the Lakers and weighed in on Luka Doncic’s MVP odds. Green says Doncic faces “voter fatigue” even if he averages 34 points, noting the league may discount his production. In the season opener, Doncic logged 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists while shooting a perfect 9‑for‑9 from the line. Green also praised rookie Yaxel Lendeborg’s fearless challenge to the Dallas star, calling it good for the youngster’s development.
In his Lakers debut on Oct. 21, 2026, Walker Kessler dazzled with a perfect 12‑for‑12 shooting night, scoring 26 points, grabbing nine rebounds, blocking twice and delivering ten dunks— the most by a Laker since Shaquille O’Neal in 2003. His performance helped Los Angeles rout the Golden State Warriors 127‑105 and ranks as the second‑best shooting game in franchise history behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 14‑for‑14. Luka Dončić supplied five of Kessler’s makes, and both players sparked a 56‑point burst in 18 minutes.
The Los Angeles Lakers defense clamped up as the game progressed to win a comfortable 127-105 matchup against the Golden State Warriors.