Kessler’s 15-point burst gives Lakers an 11-point halftime edge

On Monday, the second-ranked Lakers (9-2) opened with a 31-22 first quarter and stretched their lead to 68-57 by halftime against the 13th-ranked Hawks (7-4). Walker Kessler has 15 points and five rebounds, while Luka Doncic has added 14 points, eight assists and four steals. Atlanta answered with 35 points in the second quarter, led by Onyeka Okongwu’s 12 points and six rebounds, but still trails by 11. After the break, watch whether the Hawks can turn that second-quarter scoring into stops—and whether Doncic can keep creating without adding to his five turnovers.