Walker Kessler is finally hitting the court for the Lakers, making his preseason debut against the Warriors tonight after missing the team’s first three games. He’d been sidelined with a jammed finger picked up in training camp, so it’s good to see him back out there. But hold up, because while Kessler is a welcome sight, the Lakers definitely aren’t at full strength, with Luka Dončić, Collin Sexton, Adou Thiero, Ziaire Williams, and Cameron Carr all sitting out this game.
JJ Redick confirmed Kessler’s availability for tonight’s game in Vegas, which is a win, no doubt. And before anyone starts panicking about the Big 3, Redick was quick to clarify that Luka Dončić is not injured at all. He’s just getting a night off, which makes sense to keep him fresh for the games that actually count. So, no need to smash the alarm button on Luka’s front, that’s a relief.
However, the situation for some of the other guys is a bit more concerning. Collin Sexton’s name is definitely raising some eyebrows. He’s been a “modified participant” since training camp kicked off and still hasn’t actually seen any game action. Redick has been saying all along that these preseason dings aren’t a big deal once the regular season starts, but with the actual opener just eight days away and Sexton still not playing, you gotta wonder. He’s got one last shot to play this preseason on Friday. If he can’t go in that one, there’s a real chance he’ll miss the opener, and that’s not ideal. Ziaire Williams is another guy to watch. He played in the first preseason game, but he’s been out ever since with a foot contusion from taking a hit. While they’re saying it doesn’t sound serious, the Lakers have a history with injury reports that makes you question how “not serious” things really are. Cameron Carr is also out for his second straight game after missing the last one against the Kings. Adou Thiero, on the other hand, has actually been pretty lucky to avoid injury after some seriously nasty landings from dunks, so giving him a night off is probably a smart move to keep him healthy.
The regular season is right around the corner. For Sexton, that final preseason game on Friday is huge. Can he get on the court? Can he prove he’s ready for the opener? That’s what everyone is gonna be watching for.
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.
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