The Los Angeles Lakers have listed Collin Sexton as questionable for Wednesday’s season opener against the Golden State Warriors, while ruling out Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr.
Sexton is dealing with a right soleus strain, according to the NBA’s official injury report. Carr is out with a right oblique strain, and Thiero is sidelined with left knee effusion and swelling.
Walker Kessler is listed as available with a left finger splint, clearing him to play in the opener.
The report gives the Lakers more specific diagnoses after their preseason injury updates largely described players as day-to-day. It does not provide return dates for Carr or Thiero, and Sexton’s status leaves his availability undecided.
Collin Sexton’s return to practice has not settled his game status
Sexton missed the entire preseason before returning to full practice Monday. He said afterward that he felt good, but stopped short of committing to playing against Golden State.
“I was super excited to be back out there. It was a great day,” Sexton said.
His availability matters to a backcourt that will rely on Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to create offense.
Sexton would give JJ Redick another ball-handler to use when either guard rests, but the Lakers still have not seen him in a game alongside his new teammates.
That absence already influenced Redick’s preseason experimentation. With Sexton unavailable, the Lakers tried Quentin Grimes off the bench in the exhibition finale as they sought more reliable ball-handling from their reserves.
Redick left open the possibility of starting Grimes. A decision on Sexton would help clarify the options available to the coach, although Tuesday’s injury report does not establish how he will arrange the rotation.
Lakers will open without Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr
Thiero and Carr had remained limited during the final stretch of preseason preparation. Monday’s practice update said both participated in modified work without scrimmaging; Tuesday’s report now confirms that neither will play against Golden State.
Their absences reduce Redick’s choices on the wing, while Kessler’s availability gives Los Angeles its new starting center for the opener.
Golden State also has several players on the report. Stephen Curry is probable with right ankle soreness, while Charles Bassey is questionable with right patellar tendinopathy.
Brandin Podziemski is out with bilateral low back soreness, joining Jimmy Butler III, Moses Moody and Kristaps Porzingis among the Warriors’ unavailable players.
The teams are scheduled to tip off Wednesday at 7 p.m. PST at Crypto.com Arena. For the Lakers, Sexton is the remaining questionable player on Tuesday evening’s report.
