Austin Reaves to make preseason debut against Kings

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 7: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball before an NBA game against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on February 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After sitting out the first two exhibition contests, Austin Reaves will make his preseason debut against the Kings on Thursday.

Head coach JJ Redick announced pregame that Reaves would return to the court, his first appearance since signing his big deal to return to the Lakers this summer.

Austin Reaves is playing tonight, per JJ Redick.

— Connor Moreno (@cmorenoNBA) October 9, 2026

However, Reaves is not going to be joined by his teammates who also missed the first two games. Walker Kessler remains out after jamming a finger during practice while Collin Sexton and Arthur Kaluma are also sidelined.

Joining them for Thursday’s game are Ziaire Williams, Cameron Carr and Dalton Knecht. Williams had some soreness, as Redick described, while Carr and Knecht took hits leading to contusions.

Ziaire Williams, Collin Sexton and Arthur Kaluma remain out; Cameron Carr and Dalton Knecht are also out, both of whom have contusions.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 9, 2026

JJ Redick on Walker Kessler’s finger injury: “It’s not concerning. He’ll play in the preseason.”

Redick on Ziaire: “He’s got some soreness. It’s not anything that we’re worried about.”

Redick said that Carr and Knecht both “got hit” and suffered contusions.

— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) October 9, 2026

Reddick has remained steadfast that these injuries are not long-term concerns. After a flurry of games this week, the Lakers will be off until Tuesday before wrapping up the preseason with a game next Friday.

With over another week of games remaining — and additional practice coming after that — there isn’t any real reason to worry about any of the players who have yet to make an appearance. In fact, Redick said pregame that Kessler would play in preseason games.

Notably not mentioned during any of those injury updates is Luka Dončić, which means not only is Reaves playing on Thursday, but fans will get to see the superstar pair on the court together for the first time this season.

While this happened plenty of times last season, something about this being a new era of Lakers basketball makes it feel like a bigger deal to see them on the floor together, ushering the Lakers forward.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.