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Walker Kessler, Austin Reaves out vs. Kings in preseason opener

The Los Angeles Lakers entered their preseason opener against the Sacramento Kings without two key rotation players, as head coach JJ Redick announced pregame that Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler would sit out due to injuries. Reaves dealt with an ankle tweak, while Kessler jammed his finger on the backboard, though neither injury was deemed serious.

The team also kept Collin Sexton and Arthur Kaluma off the court, both managing lower-body issues, with all four listed as day-to-day cases. The absence of Kessler and Reaves—alongside Sexton and Kaluma—forced Redick to adjust the starting lineup, with Luka Dončić leading a group that included Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, and Kevon Looney.

The Lakers’ preseason schedule remains tight, with another game against the Golden State Warriors scheduled just 24 hours later, offering a quick opportunity to gauge the severity of these setbacks. Fans hoping to see Kaluma’s potential impact in live action will have to wait, as his absence adds to the early roster questions ahead of the regular season.

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