It remains to be seen whether Walker Kessler (jammed finger) will make his preseason debut for the Lakers on Tuesday.
“I would say we’re not committed to that,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said at Lakers practice on Saturday.
The Lakers’ new franchise center has missed all three exhibition games after jamming his finger against the backboard during training camp.
Redick said Kessler at first fully participated in Saturday’s practice, but then his injury started bothering him.
“He was a live participant initially, and then we were doing a drill and he hit his finger,” said Redick, who added that Kessler went on to do everything else Saturday except for the live action drills.
“… So, [he] was in for about half the practice,” Redick said. “We’ll see [Sunday] if he can do live.”
The Lakers play the Warriors on Tuesday in their penultimate exhibition game.
So, the team has two more chances to try to get Kessler on the floor to get a glimpse of what their Big 3 will look like ahead of their season opener on Oct. 21.
Redick emphasized that Kessler’s injury is of no concern.
“Yeah, he’s fine,” Redick said.
Redick added that Collin Sexton (lower leg) is “a little bit further behind” Kessler in terms of making his preseason debut. He said Arthur Kaluma participated in Saturday’s practice, but Ziaire Williams is still dealing with a foot contusion.
“Again, it’s not a concern,” Redick said of Williams.
Luka Doncic is looking forward to see how things shape up when everyone becomes available, especially Kessler, whom the Lakers acquired in a sign-and-trade from Utah, giving up two unprotected first-round draft picks and two first-round pick swaps, signing him to a four-year, $130 million deal.
“I’m very excited,” Doncic said Saturday. “Obviously, kind of involved, not signing him. but there was a lot of communication with [Lakers general manager and president of basketball operations] Rob [Pelinka] and JJ about him, so I’m very excited to just share the floor with him.”
