The Los Angeles Lakers started their 2026-27 regular season on a positive note by beating down the Golden State Warriors 127-105 on Wednesday. It was a fairly impressive display on both ends of the floor, and a number of key players performed well for them.
They were able to win by 22 points despite not having guard Collin Sexton in uniform. Sexton, whom the Lakers signed this summer to a two-year, $19 million contract, is an explosive instant-offense player who can also handle the ball, push the pace and get others involved. He's expected to give what was a weak Lakers bench last season a major upgrade.
He hasn't played yet, dating back to the first preseason game, due to a leg ailment. But for Friday's game versus the Los Angeles Clippers, he's off the injury report, which means he's expected to make his debut for the Purple and Gold.
Forward Jake LaRavia, who exited Wednesday's contest late with a sprained ankle, is questionable. Forward Adou Thiero (knee) and rookie guard Cameron Carr (oblique) will not play.
Lakers’ injury report for tomorrow vs. the Clippers.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) October 23, 2026
Collin Sexton is available and will make his season debut. Jake LaRavia is questionable with a right ankle sprain. Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr remain out. pic.twitter.com/IdwOzfzb5l
Sexton has career averages of 18.3 points and 3.6 assists a game while shooting 47.2% from the field and 38.9% from 3-point range. Last season, he was at 15.4 points and 3.3 assists in 23.7 minutes per game while shooting 48.5% overall and 40.1% from downtown. He's expected to be L.A.'s sixth man.
Coach JJ Redick said on Wednesday that the team will shut down Thiero, a promising second-year forward, for a couple of days due to his knee ailment and then start to ramp him up afterward. Redick also said that Carr is already ramping things up and is day-to-day.
This article originally appeared on Lakers Wire: Lakers give out good injury news on Collin Sexton for Friday's game