"The Reasons Are Obvious!" Walker Kessler Compares Jokic and Doncic: Nikola is Exceptional, but Luka is Better!
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The Denver Nuggets defeated the Lakers 121-106, with Nikola Jokic finishing the game with 17 points, six rebounds, and eight assists.
In his first appearance alongside Doncic, Kessler tallied six points and six rebounds in just under 31 minutes on the court.
The American center, who joined the Lakers from Utah this summer, had the chance to go head-to-head with one of the best players in basketball today and spoke after the game about the qualities of the Serbian superstar as well as his new teammate.
"There's a reason Jokic is where he's at. He's probably the best center in the league, maybe the best player. But I'm going to say Luka is better, for obvious reasons. Jokic is an exceptional player," Kessler stated, as reported by B92.
The Lakers center did not hide his respect for Jokic, while also making it clear how highly he rates Doncic, whom he will share the court and locker room with in the upcoming season.
Kessler previously touched on the Slovenian playmaker's mindset, emphasizing that winning always comes first for him.
"He's a competitor. He wants to win more than anything. He talks a lot of trash on the court, too, but that just shows how much he cares and how badly he wants to win," Kessler explained.
The American center missed the first three preseason games due to a pinky injury, but has now been cleared for the start of the 2026/27 campaign.
During the previous season, he also struggled with shoulder problems that required surgery while playing for Utah.
The Lakers open the new season on Wednesday, hosting the Golden State Warriors in Los Angeles, while Denver visits the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.
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