Photo: Los Angeles Lakers/YouTube

Walker Kessler said facing Nikola Jokic in the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason game against the Denver Nuggets helped him prepare for the regular season, describing the matchup as a valuable test against one of the NBA’s best players.

“It knocked off a lot of rust,” Kessler said during his postgame press conference on Saturday, October 16. “There’s a pile in my locker. There’s a reason why he is who he is. He’s arguably the best big in the league and best player in the league.”

Kessler also made his preference clear when comparing Jokic with Lakers teammate Luka Doncic.

“I would argue Luka’s better obviously for obvious reasons,” the center said.

Jokic recorded 17 points, six rebounds and eight assists in 31 minutes as Denver defeated Los Angeles 121-106 at Crypto.com Arena. He shot 7-for-8 from the field, including 3-for-4 from three-point range, and added two steals.

Kessler finished with six points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal and two blocks in 31 minutes. He made two of his eight field-goal attempts and was a minus-21 while on the court.

The Lakers center said the opportunity to compete against Jokic was particularly useful because he had not faced a player of that caliber in a competitive setting for some time.

“He’s an exceptional player,” Kessler said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve really competed against someone like that since November basically of last year. So definitely was nice to get that in before it actually counts.”

Kessler joined the Lakers in a July 8 sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz, signing a four-year, $129.5 million contract to become the team’s starting center alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves.

Los Angeles sent Utah unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, along with first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030, to acquire the 25-year-old big man.