Walker Kessler remains sidelined with a finger injury, but head coach JJ Redick confirms he will play in the preseason, aiming to integrate his rim protection ahead of the regular season.
The empty chair at the end of the Lakers’ bench is starting to draw nervous glances. For the third preseason game, held this past Thursday, Walker Kessler remained in street clothes, his absence marked by a nagging finger injury that has delayed his arrival to the floor.
Since arriving as a marquee offseason signing, Kessler has become a focal point of expectation. After the Lakers committed a four-year. $130 million deal and parted with substantial draft capital—including unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033. along with pick swaps in 2028 and 2030—to acquire him from the Utah Jazz. every missed minute carries weight. Fans are anxious to see the interior presence who. in his 2024-25 campaign. anchored the paint with 11.1 points. 12.2 rebounds. and 2.4 blocks per game.
Head coach JJ Redick, however, moved quickly to quiet the growing unease. “It’s not concerning. He’ll play in the preseason,” Redick told reporters, offering a firm timeline for the big man’s return.
This current setback. while frustrating. is entirely unrelated to the torn labrum that cut Kessler’s previous season short after only five games. ultimately requiring surgery. The caution is calculated. As the team experiments with rotations—including Austin Reaves’ exhibition debut during Thursday’s tilt against the Kings—the priority remains ensuring their newest defensive anchor is healthy when the real games begin.
The Lakers have two exhibition contests remaining on the schedule. with matchups against the Golden State Warriors and the Denver Nuggets ahead of their regular-season opener. The latter. featuring a physical clash with Nikola Jokic. presents a logical and high-stakes environment to test the defensive chemistry the Lakers hope to build around their new investment.
Ultimately, the front office and coaching staff appear willing to trade preseason rhythm for long-term reliability. The team built this roster to address persistent interior deficiencies, and for now, that goal remains paused, waiting for a finger to heal.
Walker Kessler JJ Redick Lakers NBA preseason injury update LA Lakers NBA trade