Walker Kessler News, Rumors, Updates - Los Angeles Lakers

Walker Kessler welcomes every expectation when Lakers' next big man makes his purple-and-gold debut

Walker Kessler is well aware of the long, legendary lineage he is joining when he debuts as the Los Angeles Lakers’ starting center

1 HOUR AGO • Associated Press

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Dominates glass in Lakers debut Kessler logged 11 points (4-6 FG, 3-4 FT), nine rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in 16 minutes during Tuesday's 101-89 preseason loss to the Warriors.

Impact Kessler made an immediate impact in his Lakers debut after missing the first three exhibitions with a finger injury. Golden State grabbed just two offensive rebounds before halftime and 13 after it with Kessler on the bench, which shows exactly why the Lakers paid $130 million for him.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Will play Tuesday Kessler (finger) will play in Tuesday's preseason game against the Warriors, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.

Impact Kessler jammed his finger during training camp but has been cleared to make his 2026 preseason debut Tuesday. The big man appeared in just five regular-season games with Utah in 2025-26 due to a shoulder injury and will look to bounce back in his first year with the Lakers.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Lakers' Walker Kessler ready to play with 'so much joy' after lost season Walker Kessler had multiple ways to view an unfortunate situation. After suffering a season-ending left shoulder injury last October, the th...

OCTOBER 11 • NYPOST.COM

Practices Sunday Kessler (finger) was a full participant in Sunday's practice, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.

Impact Kessler has yet to suit up in the preseason after jamming his finger during training camp, though the injury isn't viewed as a long-term concern. The big man can be considered questionable for Tuesday's exhibition against the Warriors until the Lakers provide an update on his status.

OCTOBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Lakers' JJ Redick gives major Walker Kessler injury update after recent finger issue | Sporting News The Los Angeles Lakers have been without Walker Kessler the entire season. Lakers head coach JJ Redick gave an injury update on Saturday.

OCTOBER 11 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Making progress, might scrimmage Sunday Lakers head coach JJ Redick said Kessler participated in Saturday's practice but didn't do live work, though the center might return to scrimmaging Sunday, Jovan Buha of The Athlet...

Impact If Kessler scrimmages Sunday and everything goes according to plan, the big man could make his Lakers debut Tuesday against Golden State. Kessler jammed his finger early in training camp and has missed three straight games, but by all accounts, it's not a long-term issue.

OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Lakers' path to acquiring Goga Bitadze complicated by Luka Doncic dust-up The Los Angeles Lakers need a third center with size, strength and rim-protecting skills. LA went out and got Walker Kessler and Kevon Loone...

OCTOBER 10 • LAKESHOWLIFE.COM

Lakers won't truly know what this roster looks like until Walker Kessler returns The Los Angeles Lakers have shown promise this preseason, but this roster won’t be at its best until Walker Kessler returns.

OCTOBER 10 • LAKESHOWLIFE.COM

Walker Kessler trade makes the NBA's claims about the second apron look ridiculous NBA teams are facing difficult times in retaining their depth, and the second apron is one thing that is being blamed for this. The Utah Jaz...

OCTOBER 10 • THEJNOTES.COM

Lakers insider reveals major 'worry' without Walker Kessler in lineup as he battles finger injury | Sporting News The Los Angeles Lakers are showing a lot of weak spots without Walker Kessler. It is clear the biggest worry the team should have once the s...

OCTOBER 9 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Ruled out Thursday Kessler (finger) won't play in Thursday's preseason game against the Kings, Benjamin Royer of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact Kessler will miss a third consecutive contest due to a finger injury, though head coach JJ Redick isn't concerned that it's a long-term issue, per Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com. The big man's next opportunity to play in the preseason will come Tuesday against the Warriors.

OCTOBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

'Championship-level': JJ Redick makes bold claim on Luka Doncic-led Lakers | Sporting News JJ Redick believes that the Lakers led by Walker Kessler and Luka Doncic are NBA championship contenders for the 2026-27 NBA season.

OCTOBER 8 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Lakers' need for a big man behind Walker Kessler is only growing Kevon Looney and Sandro Mamukelashvili have shown notable flaws to start the preseason for the Los Angeles Lakers.

OCTOBER 7 • LAKESHOWLIFE.COM

Not playing vs. Warriors Kessler (finger) won't play in Tuesday's exhibition game against the Warriors, Luca Evans of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Kessler will miss a second consecutive preseason game after jamming his finger during training camp. The big man will aim to make his preseason debut Thursday at home against the Kings, but the Lakers will take a cautious approach to keep the injury from lingering into the regular season.

OCTOBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Resting Monday Kessler (rest) won't suit up for Monday's exhibition against the Kings, Khobi Price of The California Post reports.

Impact The Lakers open up the preseason with a back-to-back set, so Kessler will sit out the first game, along with Austin Reaves. Kessler will likely make his Lakers' debut Tuesday against the Warriors.

OCTOBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

'Championship team': Walker Kessler drops first thoughts on training with Lakers led by Luka Doncic | Sporting News Walker Kessler has a lot of positive feelings about joining Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Coach JJ Redick in the Lakers system.

OCTOBER 5 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Jazz waited for the perfect time to trade Walker Kessler to the Lakers What many don't talk about is that the Lakers' interest in Kessler had been known for some time. The Jazz waited until the perfect chance to...

OCTOBER 1 • THEJNOTES.COM

Walker Kessler is absolutely right about the Lakers' defense The Los Angeles Lakers should have a much better defense next season with Walker Kessler as the anchor.

OCTOBER 1 • LAKESHOWLIFE.COM

Walker Kessler & Austin Reaves Think Lakers Defense Will Be Dangerous The new-look Lakers have plenty of firepower of offense, but critics are worried about how their defense is going to shape up.

OCTOBER 1 • BASKETBALLFOREVER.COM

Jalen Duren saga proves Lakers did Jazz a massive favor with Walker Kessler trade The Utah Jazz lucked out that Duren was the Los Angeles Lakers' Plan B with Walker Kessler very much in their sights this offseason.

SEPTEMBER 30 • THEJNOTES.COM

Walker Kessler Believes New-Look Lakers Will Be 'Nasty' Defensively The Los Angeles Lakers officially have the star center they were looking for heading into the NBA offseason, acquiring Walker Kessler in a s...

SEPTEMBER 30 • SI.COM

Walker Kessler admits the Lakers' defense will be much better than expected | Sporting News The Lakers' defense is not being spoken about much, but it seems that the players want more attention on it.

SEPTEMBER 30 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Walker Kessler's "nasty" defense prediction depends on three key teammates Walker Kessler believes the Los Angeles Lakers can be "nasty" on defense. Three teammates will decide if that's true.

SEPTEMBER 30 • LAKESHOWLIFE.COM

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Walker Kessler welcomes every expectation when Lakers' next big man makes his purple-and-gold debut

LeBron James leaves Lakers and loaded Western Conference for Philly, Warriors try to contend again