Walker Kessler Gives Update On Finger Injury

The Los Angeles Lakers are three games into their preseason slate and many of the team’s new additions have looked impressive thus far. One player who has yet to suit up, however, is center Walker Kessler, the team’s biggest acquisition of the offseason.

Kessler injured his finger during training camp, jamming it on the backboard in what head coach JJ Redick called a minor injury. The Lakers are still playing it cautious, and Kessler recently gave an update on the issue.

“Finger’s good. Finger’s good,” Kessler said during ESPN’s broadcast of the Lakers’ victory over the Sacramento Kings. “Just kinda going through all the protocols right now. Talking to the coaches, the training staff […] Feeling good.”

There were some injury concerns coming into this season for the big man as a torn labrum limited him to just five games last season. That being said, by all accounts this finger issue is something small and the Lakers just want to make sure not to make things worse in the preseason. But many are still anticipating Kessler’s debut in purple and gold.

“I’m not sure yet,” Kessler said of when he will be on the court. “We’re still talking and I don’t wanna say anything that gets me in trouble, so we’re still talking.”

The Lakers have a few days off before they finish their preseason slate next week, facing off with the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, Oct. 13 and then ending the preseason against the Denver Nuggets next Friday, Oct. 16. They will then kick off the regular season against those same Warriors on Oct. 21 and, barring any unforeseen circumstance, Kessler will be on the court ready to go for that.

Kessler is expected to play a big role for the Lakers with superstar Luka Doncic in particular wanting the franchise to bring him in to be the team’s starting center. He is an ideal pick-and-roll partner for both Doncic and Austin Reaves, an elite offensive rebounder and one of the best rim protectors in the game who will be the anchor of this defense.

With so many new faces it is imperative for Kessler to get as many on-court reps with his Laker teammates before the start of the season so hopefully he will be suiting up soon.

JJ Redick hoping for one fully healthy Lakers preseason game

Health is the most important thing in the preseason as the goal is to enter the regular season as whole as possible. So far, Kessler and Collin Sexton have yet to suit up and head coach JJ Redick is hoping to get at least one preseason game with the entire roster healthy.