Los Angeles Lakers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Shaquille O’Neal Says Walker Kessler Is The Best Big Man In The NBA

Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal isn’t known to dish out much praise to today’s big men, but Walker Kessler’s regular-season debut with the Los Angeles Lakers blew him away.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Yaxel Lendeborg ‘Lost All Respect’ For Luka Doncic After Exchange

Throughout the course of NBA history, there are certain players who just raise their game to another level when the trash-talking begins and in this current generation there is no player who exemplifies that more than Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic.

Miami Heat News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NBA 60-point scorers' quiz

Throughout NBA history, only 40 players have scored 60 or more points during an NBA regular-season game. How many of the 40 can you name in six minutes?

The 'Multi-time NBA MVPs' quiz

The 'NBA franchise 30-point-game leaders' quiz

The '30-point, 10-rebound NBA game leaders' quiz

Los Angeles Lakers News / Silver Screen & Roll / October 22

JJ Redick says Collin Sexton did not suffer setback, collaborative decision not to play vs. Warriors

In theory, Collin Sexton is a Laker. Fans are still waiting for his debut after he was sidelined for the entirety of the preseason. Things seemed to be trending toward Sexton making his debut on Tuesday after he was a full participant in practice on Monday and Tuesday.

NBA News / Yardbarker

Every NBA team's X-factor for the 2026-27 season

Who is the X factor for every NBA player this season? We’re not talking about the go-to guy, like Nikola Jokic or Steph Curry. It could be a big-name player, an all-star, or a bench player, but they are the pivot point for their team.

WNBA News

Angel Reese goes viral for postgame dance moves in WNBA Finals

Sophie Cunningham calls out Angel Reese for 'dangerous' play on eve of WNBA Finals

Olivia Miles leads six-player WNBA All-Rookie team

WNBA playoffs: Dream, Valkyries advance to Finals

WNBA playoff takeaways: Dream, Valkyries advance to Finals

Walker Kessler News / NBA on ClutchPoints / October 22

Walker Kessler left in awe by Shaq’s message after his Lakers debut

On opening night, new Los Angeles Lakers starting center Walker Kessler stood tall and took advantage of a matchup against the small Golden State Warriors — proving himself to be well worth thus far of the $130 million the team splashed on him.

NBA News / Hoops Wire / October 22

NBA Notes: Lakers, Walker Kessler, Heat, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jazz

The Lakers opened with a Luka Doncic lob to Walker Kessler. The Warriors spent much of the evening watching variations of the same play. Kessler finished with 26 points on 12-of-12 shooting, nine rebounds and two blocks in Wednesday’s 127-105 season-opening win.

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 best NBA players to never play in college

Typically, the path to the NBA for most players is to spend at least a season in college to get high-level basketball and important development under their belts.

NBA News / Field Level Media / October 22

Luka Doncic, Lakers open with dominant win vs. Stephen Curry, Warriors

Luka Doncic scored 28 points and Walker Kessler added 26 on 12-of-12 shooting in his Los Angeles debut as the Lakers routed the visiting Golden State Warriors 127-105 on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'ALCS MVPs' quiz

The 'Most NBA games played' quiz

The 'Last 30-TD season by NFL team' quiz

The 'Most WNBA double-doubles' quiz

Los Angeles Lakers News / NBA on ClutchPoints / October 22

Walker Kessler joins 1969 Wilt Chamberlain with perfect Lakers debut vs. Warriors

Walker Kessler reminded the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday what it feels like to have a dependable center. Kessler helped the Lakers blow out the Golden State Warriors, 127-105, in their season opener at Crypto.com Arena with a memorable performance.

NBA News / Silver Screen & Roll / October 22

Lakers rout Warriors in perfect season-opening performance

The Lakers opened up the season with a thorough beatdown of the Warriors, winning 127-105 on Tuesday. LA led by as many as 35 points and scored 103 points in the opening three quarters.

Luka Doncic News / Lakers Nation / October 22

Luka Doncic & Lakers Dominate Warriors On Opening Night

A new era of Los Angeles Lakers basketball kicked off on Wednesday night when they hosted the Golden State Warriors in the 2026-27 regular season opener at Crypto.com Arena.

Bronny James News / Athlon Sports / October 21

Bronny James Injury Update Emerges Before Lakers-Warriors

Bronny James is set to begin his third NBA season when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. The 2024 second round pick made the final roster cut despite speculation that he could be waived, with the Lakers ultimately releasing Dalton Knecht instead.

Dalton Knecht News / NBA Analysis Network / October 21

LA Lakers have already given Dalton Knecht’s jersey number to new signing despite his ‘fresh start’ claim

The Los Angeles Lakers have moved quickly to reassign Dalton Knecht’s jersey number to one of the team’s new stars. Ahead of the start of the season, the Los Angeles Lakers announced their decision to waive former first round pick Dalton Knecht.

Austin Reaves News / Lakers Nation / October 21

Austin Reaves Gives Advice To New Teammates On Playing For Lakers

Austin Reaves begins the 2026-27 NBA season in a unique position. He is on the first year of his third contract, a four-year, $185 million near-max deal.

Collin Sexton News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / October 21

Lakers Announce Disappointing Collin Sexton News Ahead of Season Opener

The Los Angeles Lakers will start the 2026-27 NBA season a little shorthanded, with a few of the team’s players ruled out for the season-opening game on Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors.

J.J. Redick News / Lakers Nation / October 21

JJ Redick Believes Lakers Have Potential To Be Good Defensive Team

The biggest criticism of the new-look roster built by general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick is on the defensive end. There are big question marks surrounding the team’s defensive personnel and how much center Walker Kessler will be able to hide that.

Luka Doncic News / Larry Brown Sports / October 21

Luka Doncic sends message to Lakers fans in full-page ad

The Los Angeles Lakers are beginning a new era without LeBron James, and now is officially time for Luka Doncic to be the top superstar of the team. Ahead of Wednesday’s season opener against the Golden State Warriors, Doncic put out a full-page ad in the Los Angeles Times newspaper with a championship message to the fans.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / October 21

Collin Sexton Compares Sandro Mamukelashvili To Kevin Love

Sandro Mamukelashvili was one of the standouts for the Los Angeles Lakers this preseason as he flashed the versatility that was touted when the team signed him to a lucrative contract in free agency.

J.J. Redick News / Hoops Wire / October 21

JJ Redick knows Lakers’ first loss will bring ‘sky is falling’ reaction

The Lakers haven’t played their opener, and JJ Redick is already anticipating the reaction when something goes wrong. “It could be [Wednesday] night, you’re going to come to me and tell me that the world is ending and the sky is falling,” Redick told reporters Tuesday, via Ben Golliver of ESPN.