Collin Sexton was officially downgraded to out for Wednesday’s game against the Golden State Warriors, a gut punch for Lakers fans eager to see his debut. This move came hours before tip-off, despite Sexton being a full participant in practice on both Monday and Tuesday and initially listed as questionable for the contest due to a calf strain. It felt like Tuesday was going to be the night, but now, the wait continues.
No Setback, Just a Collaborative Decision?
Lakers head coach JJ Redick spoke to the media pregame, trying to shed some light on why Sexton wasn’t hitting the court. His message was clear, but maybe not entirely reassuring: “No setback,” Redick stated. He described it as a “collaborative decision with [the] performance [staff]. Everyone [was] involved.” This sounds like the team is being extra careful, which, to be fair, is often a good thing with soft tissue injuries. Redick even added a crucial line: “I always say this with soft tissue injuries, the athlete has to have confidence and full confidence.”
What “Full Confidence” Really Means
That line about “full confidence” really makes you wonder, doesn’t it? If there’s “no setback,” but Sexton isn’t playing, it hints that maybe he isn’t feeling 100% ready. Perhaps there’s still a lingering bit of soreness, or maybe his conditioning isn’t quite where it needs to be after missing all of preseason. The Lakers have a history of erring on the side of caution, especially when it comes to calf strains, an injury that can easily lead to much worse problems down the line. So, while it’s frustrating, the team playing it safe isn’t a total shock. Lakers fans are absolutely buzzing for Sexton’s debut, especially with the current state of their backup guards and ballhandlers. But from the looks of it, patience will be the name of the game for a while longer.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
Leave a Reply