RADIO
Jake LaRavia Questionable for Friday's Matchup With Clippers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia (ankle) is listed as questionable for Friday's matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. LaRavia sprained his right ankle during Wednesday's win over the Warriors, finishing with 10 points, two assists, two rebounds, and one steal in 18 minutes before exiting. If the 24-year-old is unable to suit up Friday, Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, and Ziaire Williams could see additional playing time, potentially boosting their short-term fantasy value.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Collin Sexton Available for Friday's Matchup With Clippers
Los Angeles Lakers guard Collin Sexton (calf) is available for Friday's matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. The 27-year-old missed Wednesday's regular-season opener due to a calf strain but is now set to make his Lakers debut. Sexton averaged 17.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in 26 games with Chicago last season while shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 41.0 percent from three-point range. His fantasy upside could be limited in 2026-27, as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are expected to handle most of the Lakers' offensive responsibilities.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Collin Sexton Sidelined on Wednesday
Per Khobi Price of The California Post, Los Angeles Lakers guard Collin Sexton (calf) is unavailable for Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Golden State Warriors. The 27-year-old won't make his Lakers debut because of a calf strain. His next chance to suit up comes on Friday against the Clippers. Quentin Grimes and Jake LaRavia will likely get extra minutes while Sexton is out. Once healthy, Sexton's fantasy upside could be limited in 2026-27, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves expected to handle the bulk of the Lakers' offensive responsibilities.
Source: Khobi Price
Source: Khobi Price
Walker Kessler Available for Season Opener
Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler (finger) is available for Wednesday's season opener against the Golden State Warriors. The 25-year-old jammed his left pinkie on the backboard early in training camp and will play with a splint after appearing in only two preseason games. He posted 11 points and nine rebounds in 16 minutes in his debut. Kessler played just five games last season before undergoing surgery for a torn left shoulder labrum. He averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in 2024-25, and playing next to Luka Doncic should give him plenty of easy looks around the rim.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Lakers Waive Dalton Knecht on Monday
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the Los Angeles Lakers waived guard/forward Dalton Knecht on Monday. Knecht missed Monday's practice due to an illness. The 25-year-old will now seek a fresh start with another team after struggling to establish a consistent role as a Laker. A change of scenery could boost his fantasy value after he averaged just 4.2 points in 10.2 minutes per game across 54 games last season.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Austin Reaves Pours in 28 Points Against Warriors
Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Austin Reaves scored a game-high 28 points in Tuesday's 101-89 preseason loss to the Golden State Warriors, adding four rebounds and seven assists in 25 minutes. With Luka Doncic resting, Reaves took on more of the ball-handling work and shot 10-for-18 from the field, 4-for-7 from three and 4-for-4 at the line. Seven turnovers were the lone blemish on an otherwise strong night. Reaves averaged 23.3 points and 5.5 assists last season, and nights like this show how much more he can take on when Doncic is out.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Ziaire Williams Ruled Out Again on Tuesday
Los Angeles Lakers forward Ziaire Williams (foot) will miss Tuesday's preseason game against the Golden State Warriors in Las Vegas, per Jovan Buha. Head coach JJ Redick said Williams remains day-to-day with a foot contusion. The 25-year-old hasn't played since starting the preseason opener, when he scored 13 points on 4-for-6 shooting and hit all three of his attempts from deep in 21 minutes. Williams is competing for one of Los Angeles' open starting spots, so Friday's finale against Denver could be important if he's cleared. Matisse Thybulle and Jake LaRavia remain in the mix for those wing minutes.
Source: Jovan Buha
Source: Jovan Buha
Luka Doncic Resting Tuesday Versus Golden State
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (rest) will sit out Tuesday's preseason game against the Golden State Warriors in Las Vegas, with head coach JJ Redick confirming that the 27-year-old is simply getting the night off. Doncic has scored 44 points across two preseason appearances against Sacramento after averaging 33.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.7 rebounds last season. With LeBron James now in Philadelphia, Doncic should remain at the center of everything Los Angeles does offensively. Friday's preseason finale against Denver could give him his first game action alongside Walker Kessler (finger) before the Oct. 21 opener.
Source: Jovan Buha
Source: Jovan Buha
Walker Kessler Set to Make Preseason Debut Tuesday
Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler (finger) will make his preseason debut Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors in Las Vegas, head coach JJ Redick confirmed, per The Athletic's Jovan Buha. The 25-year-old missed the first three exhibitions after jamming his left pinky on the backboard during training camp. Kessler also played only five games last season before undergoing surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in 2024-25, and the Lakers have missed that kind of rebounding and rim protection while he's been sidelined this preseason. If he gets through Tuesday without a setback, he should be on track to start the Oct. 21 opener against Golden State.
Source: Jovan Buha
Source: Jovan Buha
Walker Kessler Returns to Full Practice on Sunday
Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler (finger) went through a full practice Sunday after being limited by a jammed left pinkie, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. Kessler called the restrictions precautionary and said he's ready to play, though the Lakers haven't committed to his preseason debut Tuesday against Golden State. The 25-year-old played only five games last season before undergoing surgery for a torn left shoulder labrum, averaging 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks. Once cleared, Kessler should handle most of the center minutes, with Sandro Mamukelashvili shifting between both frontcourt spots.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
Austin Reaves Dishes Eight Assists in Preseason Debut
Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Austin Reaves posted a team-high eight assists in Thursday's 114-110 preseason win over the Sacramento Kings, adding eight points, five rebounds, and one steal in 25 minutes. Reaves made his preseason debut after missing two games with an ankle issue, shooting 2-for-7 from the field and 0-for-3 from three, but going 4-for-4 at the line. Luka Doncic handled the scoring with 23 points, while Reaves leaned into a playmaking role. After averaging 23.3 points and 5.5 assists last season, he should remain heavily involved as a scorer and facilitator now that LeBron James is no longer in Los Angeles.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Luka Doncic Set to Suit Up Thursday
Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports that Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic will play in Thursday's preseason matchup against the Sacramento Kings. Doncic sat out Tuesday's preseason contest against Golden State after playing the previous night. The 27-year-old Slovenian posted 21 points in just 16 minutes during his preseason debut Monday. With LeBron James now in Philadelphia, Doncic is expected to shoulder an even larger offensive workload, solidifying his status as an elite fantasy option heading into the 2026-27 campaign.
Source: Daniel Starkland
Source: Daniel Starkland
Collin Sexton Unavailable on Thursday
Per Benjamin Royer of The Orange County Register, Los Angeles Lakers guard Collin Sexton (lower body) will miss Thursday's preseason matchup against the Sacramento Kings with a lower-body injury. However, according to Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com, head coach JJ Redick isn't overly concerned about Sexton's injury ahead of the regular season. The 27-year-old signed a two-year, $19 million deal with a player option during the offseason after averaging 17.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in 26 games with Chicago last season. Sexton's fantasy upside could be limited in 2026-27, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves expected to handle the bulk of the Lakers' offensive responsibilities.
Source: Benjamin Royer
Source: Benjamin Royer
Walker Kessler Sidelined on Thursday
The Orange County Register's Benjamin Royer reports that Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler (finger) will miss his third consecutive preseason game Thursday against the Sacramento Kings. According to Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com, head coach JJ Redick isn't concerned the injury will become a long-term issue. The 7-foot-2 big man played in only five games in 2025-26 after left shoulder surgery, but he could be on track for a career-best scoring campaign as Luka Doncic's primary rim-runner option this season.
Source: Benjamin Royer
Source: Benjamin Royer
Austin Reaves Available for Thursday's Preseason Matchup With Sacramento
According to Orange County Register's Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (ankle) is available for Thursday's preseason matchup against the Sacramento Kings after missing the last two contests. Reaves averaged 23.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in 34.5 minutes per game over 51 contests last season. The 28-year-old is expected to remain a key contributor to the Lakers' offense alongside Luka Doncic, and increased offensive responsibilities could make him a valuable fantasy asset across several fantasy metrics.
Source: Benjamin Royer
Source: Benjamin Royer
