Walker Kessler Will Make Highly Anticipated Lakers Debut Against Warriors

The Los Angeles Lakers have only two games left on their preseason schedule, with the storied franchise set to take on the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Ahead of this fourth of five preseason games, there’s been a lot of speculation about whether Walker Kessler and/or Collin Sexton would make their Lakers debuts. Kessler is dealing with a finger injury, while Sexton has been battling a lower-leg issue.

Walker Kessler Will Make Lakers Debut vs. Warriors

After missing the team’s first three preseason games due to an injured pinky finger, Kessler will finally suit up in purple and gold for the first time, via Jovan Buha.

With head coach JJ Redick and his coaching staff still not knowing what their revamped squad looks like with Kessler patrolling the paint, the 25-year-old making his long-awaited debut is a step in the right direction, which could also help shape the starting lineup.

Redick has said repeatedly that two starting spots are up for grabs to play alongside Kessler, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The third-year head coach mentioned earlier this week that it has been difficult to decide on his starting lineup due to injuries.

“It's hard because we've just been a little disjointed with the guys being banged up, so there's nothing definitive yet,” Redick said of the Lakers’ starting lineup.

Following Tuesday’s game in Las Vegas, the Lakers will head home and prepare for the fifth and final preseason game against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 16. 

The Lakers will need to have their roster cut down to the maximum of 15 players while also having the starting lineup set before the season-opening matchup against Stephen Curry and company on Oct. 21, meaning the final two preseason games will be crucial to the decision-making process for Redick.

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