After a mostly exciting week of preseason games, the biggest question for the Lakers largely center around the health of some of the top players, namely Walker Kessler.
The big man has yet to suit up this preseason after jamming his finger during practice in the first week of training camp. Similarly, Collin Sexton hasn’t taken the floor while Ziaire Williams did not play in either of the latter two games of the week for the purple and gold.
At practice on Saturday, head coach JJ Redick provided updates
on that trio, as well as others, with it being mostly encouraging news.
Walker Kessler
The news around Kessler’s injury has been fairly optimistic this week. During Thursday’s game, Kessler himself spoke about his injury while Redick expected him to play this preseason.
However, he wouldn’t commit to Tuesday being the game Kessler makes his debut.
Collin Sexton
Meanwhile, the news around Sexton hasn’t been quite as optimistic. While Redick has maintained that there is no worry about Sexton being available for the start of the regular season, he still was not a full participant in practice.
How things progress with Sexton this week will be critical. If the messaging around him continues to revolve around being a modified participant and not playing, then the concern about whether he actually will play in the regular season opener.
Ziaire Williams
There wasn’t a whole lot more to Williams’ status on Saturday. Redick said during the week that he had a contusion from getting hit. He did reveal that it was a foot contusion after practice, but little else.
He did also add, however, that the injury is not a concern…for however much you want to put into that.
Arthur Kaluma
One of the exciting members of the Summer League team, Kaluma has not been available this preseason either. However, he did return to practice on Saturday.
It’s probably too late for him to make a big enough impression to get any sort of real minutes once the season starts, but there will still be opportunities eventually. Getting back on the court is a big step in the right direction.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
