The Los Angeles Lakers continue to manage injuries to starting center Walker Kessler and guard Collin Sexton with two preseason games remaining before the start of the 2026-27 regular season.
Kessler returned to practice Saturday while recovering from a jammed finger, although he did not take part in live work. JJ Redick said the center completed everything else and spent roughly half of the session on the floor.
"He was in practice today. There was no live work today, but he did everything else," Redick told reporters on Saturday. "He was in for about half of practice. We'll see tomorrow if he can do live, and we'll see Monday."
Kessler initially suffered the injury after hitting his finger on the backboard during a drill.
Asked whether the big man would play if it were a regular-season game, Redick made it clear the issue is not serious.
"He's fine," Redick noted.
However, Los Angeles has not committed to Kessler making his preseason debut Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors in Las Vegas.
The Lakers then close their preseason Friday against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena.
Sexton remains further behind Kessler
Collin Sexton's progress has been slower. The 27-year-old guard was again a modified participant Saturday because of a lower-leg issue and has yet to take part in live scrimmaging during training camp.
"Colin was modified again," Redick said. "He's probably a little bit further behind."
NBA reporter Jovan Buha said Sexton appears unlikely to play Tuesday and could remain questionable for Friday's preseason finale.
"Collin Sexton is a little further behind Walker Kessler," Buha said. "He did not participate in live scrimmaging today as well. Sounds like he will likely miss Tuesday's game and then also be a TBD going into Friday."
Buha added that Sexton's continued absence from live work is beginning to stand out.
"Sexton is the one guy now who's just not participated at all in scrimmaging for the entirety of camp, and it's been long enough where it's becoming a bit of a concern," he said.
"It does not sound like he is close to returning, at least within the next few days or so."
Nevertheless, Redick said the Lakers' injury situation has not forced major changes to how he plans to prepare the team.
"No effect on game planning," Redick said. "You have to change a little bit of what your install pattern is relative to what you had planned, but we'll have enough time."
Elsewhere, Ziaire Williams is dealing with a foot contusion, though Redick said the injury is "not a concern," while Arthur Kaluma returned to practice Saturday.
The Lakers face Golden State on October 13 and Denver on October 16 before opening the regular season at home against the Warriors on October 21.
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