Los Angeles Lakers Injuries Could Seriously Affect Their Season

Los Angeles Lakers Injuries Could Seriously Affect Their Season

Just before their game against the Sacramento Kings, the Los Angeles Lakers announced that the team would be without two of their starters, plus a couple of bench guys. Could this become a common theme for LA once the regular season starts? 

Prized big man Walker Kessler sat out the game due to a jammed finger. Star guard Austin Reaves was dealing with a tweaked ankle. Additionally, Collin Sexton and Arthur Kaluma are dealing with their own injury woes. While coach JJ Redick said that the injuries weren’t too much of a concern, it’s tough to see the team far from full strength at the start of the preseason games.

Truth be told, injuries to various players played a huge part in the Lakers’ somewhat disappointing 2025-2026 campaign. Yes, they were a top-four team in the brutal Western Conference. However, three of their stars, including Luka Doncic, were sidelined for significant periods due to injury. And he missed the team’s playoff run.

The Lakers’ Current Big Three Have Missed Significant Time in the Past Few Years

Being present on the court for most of the regular season and the playoffs is usually viewed as the recipe for success for every NBA team. Avoiding major injuries can be the difference between a possible contender and a champion. Right now, many pundits don’t view the Lakers as either option. And that’s maybe because of their roster’s extensive injury history.

Walker Kessler, considered LA’s biggest addition in the offseason, only played five games in his last year with the Utah Jazz. He had a torn labrum on his left shoulder that required season-ending surgery. Even though his injury has healed, missing the team’s first preseason game due to another ailment poses another concern. After appearing in 74 games during his rookie year, his appearances have steadily declined from 2023 to 2026.

While Austin Reaves’ recent ankle injury might be minor, his overall health coming into the 2026-2027 season could determine how far the Lakers can go. The 28-year-old only played a career low 51 games in his last campaign after suffering a left calf strain and a Grade 2 oblique muscle strain. Without Reaves, Luka Doncic has done most of the heavy lifting for LA.

And there’s Doncic, who missed the Lakers’ final stretch of the 2025-2026 regular season plus the team’s entire playoff run due to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. He has looked sharp against the Kings in the preseason, though. Out of the three, he’s the most valuable one. If the Lakers want to contend for a title, Doncic needs to stay healthy for their entire campaign.

But if the injury bug keeps hounding this team, then they’ll play catch-up all season long with the likes of the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder.