Walker Kessler Nearing Return for Lakers After Finger Jam
Coach J.J. Redick confirms the recently acquired center is expected to play in upcoming preseason games.
Walker Kessler has missed the Los Angeles Lakers' initial three preseason games due to a jammed finger, but head coach J.J. Redick stated the injury is not a cause for concern and that the center will participate in upcoming exhibition matches.
Kessler, acquired by the Lakers in a trade that sent two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps to Utah, has yet to play in a Lakers uniform. He is under contract with a four-year, $130 million deal.
"It's not concerning," Redick said prior to the Lakers' 114-110 preseason win over the Kings on Thursday. "He'll play in the preseason."
The Lakers have two remaining preseason games: one against the Warriors in Las Vegas on Tuesday, followed by a home game against the Nuggets on Friday at Crypto.com Arena.
Last season, Kessler played in only five games before undergoing season-ending surgery for a torn labrum. In the 2024-2025 season, he was an effective rebounder and rim protector, contesting an average of 7.5 shots per game at the rim, a mark that tied him for fifth most in the NBA, according to NBA.com.
While Kessler has been sidelined, other players have seen preseason action. Austin Reaves made his exhibition debut on Thursday, recording eight points, five rebounds, eight assists, and one steal in 25 minutes. Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 23 points in the same amount of playing time.
Several other players were also held out of Thursday's exhibition game, including Ziaire Williams (soreness), Arthur Kaluma (lower leg), Collin Sexton (lower leg), Cameron Carr (contusion), and Dalton Knecht (contusion).
"Would love to get some news on some people in the next few days and be able to see what we look like at full strength, at least in one of these games, and just build that rhythm with each other," Redick commented. "I'm very confident we'll have enough practice time over the next 13 days, 12 days, whatever it is, until we start."
The Lakers are scheduled to open their regular season at home against the Warriors on October 21.