The Los Angeles Lakers opened their 2026-27 preseason schedule with several players unavailable, leaving the team with early injury questions as it begins adjusting to a significantly reshaped roster.
Austin Reaves and newly acquired center Walker Kessler were among the most notable absences from Monday’s preseason matchup with the Sacramento Kings. Reaves was held out after suffering a minor ankle issue, while Kessler missed the game after jamming a finger during training camp.
Neither injury was initially considered serious. Lakers coach JJ Redick indicated that both players were day-to-day, suggesting the team is taking a cautious approach rather than risking further problems during the exhibition portion of the schedule.
Reaves remains an important part of Los Angeles’ plans heading into the new season. With LeBron James no longer on the roster, the guard is expected to assume an even larger role alongside Luka Dončić.
His importance to the franchise was reinforced during the offseason when the Lakers agreed to a four-year contract worth approximately $185 million with Reaves. His ability to score, create opportunities for teammates and stretch defenses with his shooting makes him one of the central pieces of the team’s new-look lineup.
Kessler is another major component of the Lakers’ plans. Los Angeles acquired the 7-foot-2 center from the Utah Jazz during the offseason and subsequently signed him to a four-year, $130 million contract.
The Lakers expect Kessler to provide a strong presence around the basket, particularly through rebounding and rim protection. His size and athleticism are also expected to give Dončić another option in the pick-and-roll and near the rim.
His absence against Sacramento meant the Lakers had to postpone getting a preseason look at how Kessler will operate alongside Dončić and the rest of the expected rotation.
Los Angeles was dealing with additional absences as well. Guard Collin Sexton and two-way forward Arthur Kaluma also missed the opener because of lower-body injuries. Their conditions were likewise described as minor, with the players considered day-to-day.
The timing of the injuries comes during an important period for the Lakers. The organization made extensive changes to its roster during the offseason, bringing in several new players and giving Redick the task of developing combinations that can work during the regular season.
The preseason provides an opportunity to experiment with rotations without the pressure of regular-season results. However, missing key players can make it more difficult for a coaching staff to evaluate how its projected starting lineup functions together.
Los Angeles also has little time between its preseason contests. Following the matchup with Sacramento, the Lakers are scheduled to meet the Golden State Warriors on October 6 before facing the Kings again on October 8.
That schedule could give Reaves and Kessler opportunities to return quickly if they recover as expected. The Lakers are likely to continue monitoring both players rather than rushing them back for preseason action.
The team’s cautious approach reflects the broader purpose of exhibition games. With the regular season still ahead, protecting important players is generally more significant than securing preseason victories.
For Los Angeles, the main objective is to build chemistry around Dončić while integrating its offseason additions. Reaves’ return would restore an important perimeter scoring and playmaking option, while Kessler would give the team the interior presence it envisioned when making the offseason move.
At this stage, there is no indication that either injury is expected to keep the players out for an extended period. Their day-to-day status means the Lakers will continue evaluating them as the preseason progresses.
The early absences nevertheless provide an additional storyline for a team entering a new chapter. As Los Angeles prepares for the regular season, keeping its key players healthy will be just as important as finding the right combinations on the court.
The Lakers will therefore continue to monitor Reaves, Kessler and the rest of the injured group while using the upcoming preseason games to fine-tune the roster. Their eventual return should give Redick a better opportunity to evaluate the team’s intended core before the regular season begins.
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