Throughout their five-game preseason schedule, the Los Angeles Lakers dealt with some minor injuries to several of their key players. New starting center Walker Kessler missed the first three games with a jammed pinky finger, and forward Adou Thiero and rookie guard Cameron Carr sat out multiple games. Most notably, guard Collin Sexton, who is expected to give them a big lift this season, presumably in a sixth-man role, didn't play at all.
The Lakers will open their 2026-27 regular-season schedule on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena against the Golden State Warriors. The good news is that Sexton might play -- he's listed as questionable with a right soleus strain. However, Thiero and Carr will both sit out.
Lakers’ injury report for tomorrow vs. Golden State: pic.twitter.com/iBTbEpubZi
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) October 21, 2026
Per Jovan Buha, while Carr has a right oblique strain -- the same injury that forced Austin Reaves to miss nearly a month of action last month -- Thiero has "an excess of fluid buildup in his left knee." It is the same knee he had surgery on in the spring of 2025 due to a hyperextension he sustained during his final season of college basketball.
We finally have clarity on LA’s injuries.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) October 21, 2026
Adou is dealing with an excess of fluid buildup in his left knee — the same knee he had surgery on last year.
Carr’s “contusion” is actually a right oblique strain — the same injury Austin Reaves dealt with at the end of last season… https://t.co/H0U0YVR60b
Thiero missed quite a bit of time last season as a rookie due to various injury issues. This could be something to keep an eye on moving forward.
For the Warriors, Brandin Podziemski has been ruled out due to a back ailment, and Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody and Kristaps Porzingis will not play either. Stephen Curry is probable due to an ankle ailment.
This article originally appeared on Lakers Wire: Lakers release injury report for season opener vs. Warriors