JJ Redick dropped the latest on Walker Kessler’s finger injury this weekend, and while it’s not a total lockdown on his return, the Lakers head coach made it clear the team isn’t committing to him being back for their next game. This uncertainty hits hard for a squad that’s trying to usher in a whole new era in Los Angeles.
New Era, New Headaches for the Purple and Gold
The Lakers are rolling into a completely new chapter after LeBron James bolted for the 76ers, leaving Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to lead the charge. They were super active this summer, bringing in fresh faces, and the biggest splash was landing center Walker Kessler. ESPN reported that the Lakers went all in, getting Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, plus first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030. That’s a huge investment, right? So it was a gut punch when Redick announced just a week ago, before their first preseason game, that Kessler had jammed his finger. The Athletic’s Dan Woike also noted that Austin Reaves tweaked an ankle, and Sexton and Kaluma were out, too. Redick called it “day to day” for everyone and said it was “nothing major,” but any injury to your biggest offseason pickup stings, especially when you’re trying to find your footing.
Redick’s Caution: A Necessary Evil for the Lakers?
So, where does Kessler stand now? Redick gave an update Saturday but was still playing it cagey about his availability. He said Kessler was at practice, did everything except “live” drills, and was in for about half the session. They’ll see if he can do live work Sunday and then again Monday, which is planned to be more of a teaching and film day with some live elements. Redick just couldn’t commit to a return date. You can feel the Lakers’ urgency here. They know they need Kessler, big time. Their depth at center is limited, and the team’s been struggling on the boards during the preseason. It makes sense they’re being super cautious with his recovery to ensure he’s 100% when the games really start to matter. Kessler is supposed to be a massive piece of this new-look roster, and it’s gonna be wild to see what he brings to the court.
For now, though, his return from that finger issue is still up in the air. The Lakers are clearly playing it safe, which you’ve gotta respect when you’re talking about a player this important to their new core. Everyone’s waiting to see if he can get that live practice in and hit the court for their next game.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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