Sep 28, 2026; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers players Collin Sexton (10) and Walker Kessler (14) during media day at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Sep 28, 2026; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers players Collin Sexton (10) and Walker Kessler (14) during media day at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
There are only two preseason games left for the Lakers this year, and we’re still unsure if we’ll get to see the full roster in action. To date, this past Thursday was the closest we got to seeing a full-strength Lakers team, as it featured both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Who we haven’t seen: Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton, who are both currently dealing with injuries. As opening night approaches, anxiety is building among the fans regarding player availability, but Redick provided an encouraging update this week after the team’s latest practice session. He started with Kessler, who reportedly jammed his finger while running a drill.
“I would say we’re not committed to that. He definitely was in practice today. No live today, but he did everything else. So he was in for about half of practice,” said Redick, via Daniel Starkand. “We’ll see tomorrow if he can do live and we’ll see Monday. We’ll probably do some live Monday but more of a teaching day and a film day. So we’ll see. I can’t commit to that now.”
Kessler was the Lakers’ big addition this summer, and their entire defensive integrity depends on his availability. With career averages of 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.5 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game on 68.1% shooting, he has the potential to be the next great Lakers center, and it makes his durability especially important. Fortunately, he’s making headway in his recovery, although his participation is still somewhat limited.
“Just live,” Redick said. “He was a live participant initially, and then we were doing a drill, and he hit his finger on the backboard.”
Redick did not dismiss the idea of Kessler making his debut on Tuesday, and it’ll likely be a game-time decision whether he suits up to play. The same can be said for guard Collin Sexton, but he’s even father behind than Kessler.
“Collin was modified again,” Redick added. “He probably is a little bit further behind (Walker Kessler).”
Sexton is another new member of the Lakers, and his play off the bench will be huge this season. At 27, he provides an instant offensive spark with averages of 15.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game on 48.2% shooting from the field in 2025-26. But as he continues to recover from a lower-leg injury, it could be some time before we see him play in a Lakers jersey.
Ultimately, despite some early concerns, the Lakers are in a pretty good spot right now. With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves healthy and more motivated than ever, they have the foundation of a highly competitive team, but they will need the support of the role players to keep up with the likes of the Thunder and Spurs. Specifically, Kessler’s play at center will make or break this Lakers season, and that’s what makes his health especially important.
So while JJ Redick would certainly like to give Kessler some run time before opening night, he won’t risk worsening the injury for a preseason exhibition game. The good news is, Kessler likely won’t need much time to get healthy again, meaning they won’t have to endure his absence for long.