Walker Kessler recorded 12 points and 16 rebounds in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 121-116 win over Detroit on Sunday, while explaining how he is growing into a bigger playmaking role.
“The coaching staff and my teammates are confident in me,” Kessler said. “With comfortability, just time, reps, you get more comfortable in those pockets, being patient, not feeling rushed.”
Kessler finished with four assists, but also committed four turnovers. He acknowledged that ball security remains an area to improve.
“Tonight I didn’t do the best job of taking care of the ball. I think I had four turnovers,” he said. “That just comes with reps. So, starting to see those turn out pretty well.”
One of those reads came late in the fourth quarter, when Austin Reaves found Kessler on the roll before Kessler passed to Ziaire Williams for a dunk. The Lakers were protecting a narrow lead after Detroit had cut a 26-point deficit.
Kessler also praised Reaves, who scored 43 points without Luka Doncic. “He’s very capable,” Kessler said. “I mean, he’s a heck of a playmaker, heck of a scorer, and a competitor.”
“Obviously Luka is an incredible player,” Kessler added, explaining that Reaves sometimes takes a secondary role when they share the floor. “As you can see now, he’s very capable.”
The center said he did not see a major difference between playing alongside Reaves and Doncic. “They’re both incredible players to play alongside,” he said. “They hit some really, really tough shots, both of them.”
Kessler also highlighted the Lakers’ supporting contributions in the victory. “Vando had like 10 rebounds in 13 minutes. Ziaire had a great game. Matisse had like four steals or something like that. Q was having a great game,” he said.
Jarred Vanderbilt grabbed 10 rebounds in 14 minutes, while Ziaire Williams scored 17 points and Matisse Thybulle recorded four steals. Collin Sexton also added 17 points as Los Angeles improved to 9-2 with its fifth straight win.
Kessler’s rebounding has become a consistent part of his contribution. Asked about recording his fifth double-double in six games, he pointed to positioning and timing.
“A lot of it is about timing. A lot of it is about hitting the guy first, not getting pushed under the rim,” he said. “I got to do a better job of those balls that I get my hands on, securing the ball.”
He added that getting his hands back to normal would help. Kessler collected seven offensive rebounds against Detroit, including a key putback and-one that Reaves called the game’s most important play.
“It was huge,” Reaves said of the play. Kessler finished with 16 rebounds and three blocks, helping Los Angeles withstand Detroit’s comeback.
The Lakers visit Atlanta on Monday, while the Pistons host Washington.
