Although the Los Angeles Lakers’ marquee free agency signing, Walker Kessler, is yet to play through three preseason games after jamming his finger on the backboard during training camp, neither Kessler nor his head coach, JJ Redick, sound alarmed about Kessler’s availability.
“We got a check-in tomorrow,” Redick said prior to Thursday’s game against the Sacramento Kings
. “But it’s not concerning. He’ll play in the preseason.”Kessler conducted an on-air interview with the broadcast during Thursday’s
contest and seems quite optimistic about how he’s progressing.
“Finger’s good. Finger’s good,” Kessler said. “Just kind of going through all the protocols right now, talking to coaches and training staff right now…Feeling good.
Despite Redick and Kessler’s shared optimism about the injury, Kessler couldn’t offer a definitive timeline for his return.
“I’m not sure yet. I’m not sure yet,” he said. “We’re still talking and I don’t want to say anything that gets me in trouble. So, we’re still talking.”
The Lakers have two preseason games remaining ahead of their regular-season opener against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21. They play the Warriors in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena Tuesday before wrapping up their preseason slate by hosting the Denver Nuggets Oct. 16.
After a jam-packed first week of preseason action, with three games in four days, the layoff before their next game should provide Kessler plenty of time to suit up in at least one of Los Angeles’ final two preseason outings, as Redick seems confident he will do.
With Kessler sidelined, the Lakers have started veteran Kevon Looney at center in two games while Sandro Mamukelashvili got the nod Tuesday against the Warriors, presumably signaling both are in line for a prominent role this season.
Through the preseason games, Mamukelashvili’s filled up the box score, averaging 14 points, 3.7 assists (2.0 turnovers), 2.0 rebounds and 1.o blocks in 19.3 minutes per night. He’s shooting 57.1 percent from both the floor (16-of-28) and beyond the arc (8-of-14).
He starred during Los Angeles’ 114-110 victory over the Kings Friday with 19 points (7-of-10 shooting), four assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block. Once Kessler is back healthy, which seems like it’ll be sooner rather than later, I’m curious how much Mamukelashvili is deployed as a 4 vs. a small-ball 5.
You can follow Jackson on Twitter at @jackfrank_jjf.
