EL SEGUNDO — The Lakers could be nearing the in-game debut of their leading big man.
Read more The worst of Tropical Storm Rachel’s remnants seem to be over for Southern California
Lakers center Walker Kessler participated in the live portion of Sunday’s practice, returning to the scrimmage reps after jamming his pinky finger against the backboard during practice last week.
As he said Sunday, Kessler’s pinky doesn’t stop him from blocking shots.
Coach JJ Redick, however, wouldn’t commit to their blockbuster offseason acquisition playing in Tuesday night’s preseason game in Las Vegas against the Golden State Warriors.
“We’ll be smart with it,” Redick said. “See how he feels tomorrow. But not willing to commit to him playing Tuesday or not. He’ll get some live play at some point this week.”
Kessler, who inked a four-year, $130 million deal that required two first-round draft picks and two first-round pick swaps going to the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade, said the same about his status for Tuesday: “TBD.”
The 7-foot-2 star center has yet to appear in preseason action for the Lakers – despite being a surefire member of the starting lineup alongside Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and two undecided players – and said Sunday, with his pinky finger wrapped, that he was admittedly frustrated about the minor injury that’s kept him off the floor.
“I think it would be a little different if I played last season, but because I didn’t play last season, I’m like, ‘Ah, I want to play really bad,’” Kessler said, referring to his season-ending surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder after just five regular season games. “I’m ready to play, but I trust the staff and I trust the trainers, the coaches, and front office, … just listening to them right now.”
Read more 42nd Long Beach Marathon: Wind, rain dampen course, but not runners’ spirits
Lakers President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Rob Pelinka and Redick have made clear that they plan for Kessler to be the literal center of their defensive operation, sticking him down low to allow their variety of wings – such as Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle and Adou Thiero – to make disrupting plays.
Kessler said he has enjoyed what he’s seen from his teammates on the defensive end so far.
“Really positive to see how well they’ve done defensively without me out there,” Kessler said of the Lakers’ defense, which has averaged 13.7 steals per game during the preseason. “Our wing defenders are, like I said before – I mean Matisse and Ziaire and (Quentin Grimes) and even Jake (LaRavia) are just great on-ball defenders. And I mean Luka and AR are great off-ball, very smart players. So it’s been fun to watch as well.”
Rudy Gobert and the Minnesota Timberwolves, as well as Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, are proof of concept, Kessler said, for how the Lakers can use him. Kessler added that both teams have wings who help defensive efficiency, and he sees the Lakers being able to do the same.
“Like Matisse or Ziaire, and also me being back there allows them to be more aggressive, so in turn, it allows our defense to be better,” Kessler said. “So not only am I going to help them, they’re going to help me a lot as well.”
Outside of Kessler, Redick said that other players – such as Collin Sexton (lower-leg injury) and Williams (foot contusion) remain day-to-day. Sexton has yet to play in the preseason, while Williams played in the first preseason game against the Sacramento Kings before sitting out of the next two contests.
Read more NLCS Game 1: Dodgers at Brewers, lineups, starting pitchers, TV info