Luke Kennard Makes Impactful Lakers Debut
LOS ANGELES — Luke Kennard touched down in Southern California early Friday, just hours after the Lakers’ victory over the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday night. He had been traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Lakers less than two days earlier.
In his first game for the Lakers, Kennard played a significant role during a critical matchup against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night.
Kennard quickly showcased his skills, contributing to the Lakers’ impressive winning streak of three consecutive games. “When you’re set up for a play, especially right after a timeout, you want to make it count,” he reflected after scoring 10 points. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a win or loss; I just aim for a good shot.”
He indeed made some key shots.
As the Warriors reduced the Lakers’ 12-point lead to only one during the fourth quarter, Kennard was ready to execute a planned play at a crucial time.
The setup was smooth. Jared Vanderbilt set a fake screen for Austin Reeves, while Maxi Kleber created an off-ball screen for Kennard. This drew the attention of several Warriors defenders, leaving Kennard open in the corner.
Reeves delivered a precise pass, and Kennard, after taking a dribble, made a corner 3-pointer that put the Lakers ahead 92-88.
“Maxi set an incredible screen, and AR made a great pass. The coach had a solid play drawn up,” Kennard said, expressing excitement for more plays to come. “I’m eager to see what else he can cook up.”
His late 3-pointer sparked an 8-0 run for the Lakers, putting them up by at least nine points with just over four minutes to go. They capped the game with another 3-pointer from De’Anthony Melton just before the buzzer.
Reeves praised Kennard, stating, “He’s a basketball player. He’ll figure out how to contribute quickly. There’s definitely a learning curve, but basketball-wise, he gets it.”
The sequence that resulted in the pivotal play seemed simple, yet it highlighted the teamwork between the Lakers and Kennard. Both sides invested effort into preparing for this moment, even before his arrival.
Kennard is recognized as one of the league’s top shooters, currently leading the NBA with a remarkable shooting percentage of 49.7% from beyond the arc. However, coach J.J. Reddick took the time to assess Kennard through extensive offensive and defensive footage. Similarly, the Lakers provided him with insights into their plays and strategies.
“He probably watched it,” Reddick noted. “Not all players do, but I think he did.”
There was a hint of humor when Reddick remarked about Kennard, who, like him, had played at Duke under the renowned coach Mike Krzyzewski, prompting the question of whether this background made a difference. “Of course,” he laughed, adding that he graduated from Duke.
Kennard confirmed that he’d indeed watched the film: “When you’re on a new team, there’s so much to learn about the players and plays. At Duke, I learned the importance of studying film. It’s crucial for understanding play calling and defense, and there’s still more for me to grasp.”
On Saturday night, Kennard positioned himself exactly where the Lakers needed him. And there’s a shared confidence that he will continue to deliver as the season progresses.
