Walker Kessler was a full participant in Lakers practice on Sunday and is closing in on his preseason debut after jamming his left pinkie finger early in camp, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported.
According to ESPN (Dave McMenamin, 12 October 2026 AEDT), Kessler took a full part in Sunday’s session for the first time since the opening two days of training camp, when he jammed his left pinkie on the backboard while trying to block a shot.
The 7-foot-2 centre said he had been limited for “precautionary” reasons and showed reporters black tape on the injured finger. “It feels good,” Kessler said. “Fully went today in practice, felt great.”
Los Angeles acquired Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a July sign-and-trade, signing him to a four-year, US$130 million deal while sending out two future unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps, ESPN reported. The Lakers are 2-1 in the preseason without him and have two exhibition games left: Tuesday against Golden State in Las Vegas and Friday at home against Denver.
Redick won’t commit to Tuesday
Kessler missed all but five games for Utah in 2025-26 after left shoulder labrum surgery in November. He told ESPN he is desperate to play for the Lakers but is trusting the medical staff. “I’m ready to play, but I trust the staff and I trust the trainers, the coaches and front office,” he said.
Read more: Luka Doncic Says Being Face of Lakers Is an Honour, Not Pressure
Coach JJ Redick would not confirm whether Kessler will face the Warriors on Tuesday. “A lot can happen in 48 hours,” Redick said. “We’ll be smart with it. See how he feels [Monday]. But not willing to commit to him playing Tuesday or not. He’ll get some live play at some point this week.”
Redick also said training-camp bang-ups to Kessler, Ziaire Williams (left foot contusion) and Collin Sexton (right lower leg) mean he has not locked in a preferred opening-night starting five, with the regular-season opener against Golden State about 10 days away. He has already named Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Kessler among his starters, ESPN reported.
Read more: Brandin Podziemski Agrees Five-Year, $110m Warriors Extension
Defensive focus
Kessler averaged 9.5 points on 68.1% shooting across four NBA seasons and was signed to lift a Lakers defence that finished No. 19 in defensive rating last season, per ESPN. He praised the group’s effort without him, naming Matisse Thybulle, Williams, Quentin Grimes, Jake LaRavia, Doncic and Reaves.
Reaves said he is not concerned about Redick still evaluating lineups: “I show up and play regardless … Regardless of who we roll out there, we have high confidence in [them].”
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