EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — On the eve of their final preseason game against the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers are more concerned with getting healthy than using it as a dress rehearsal.
The Lakers have been shuffling through different lineups and players through the first four games, but haven’t gotten a clear look at their full revamped roster.
“Can’t control it, so it’s not even a concern. Play the guys who can play,” JJ Redick told reporters after practice on Thursday. “We would have loved to have gotten looks with everybody healthy and everybody good to go. But we also have to be smart with an 82-game season.”
Redick added that the decrease to five preseason games has been a blessing in disguise because it afforded Los Angeles double the amount of preseason practice time compared to seasons prior, which is more beneficial when integrating a bunch of new players.
It has also allowed more time for players to heal from injuries, which has been a storyline of these preseason.
Collin Sexton hasn’t suited up for a game and, though his status for Friday’s game against Denver is still up in the air, Redick says he is making good progress toward playing on opening night. Sexton has been dealing with what Redick labeled a lower body/leg injury. Sexton was seen in practice Thursday with his calf taped up.
Los Angeles’ struggles without a tertiary ballhandler have been evident all preseason, and that’s exactly where Sexton slots in.
Ziaire Williams, who played in only the Lakers’ first preseason game, was a full participant in Thursday’s practice. He told reporters that he was dealing with some swelling in his left foot, but that it all looks good now.
“Good,” Williams said on how he’s feeling. “It’s up to the staff now. I’m in good hands. They’ve been taking care of me. See how we feel. But yeah, it’s up to them. I’m ready to go as long as they say I am.”
Redick also noted Adou Thiero was a limited participant in practice, but that it’s just a maintenance thing for him. Cameron Carr was out on Thursday. We last heard that he was dealing with a contusion of some sorts, but haven’t been given much clarity on it.
Other than that, Redick says everyone else appears to be good to go. Asked how important it is to have as many people healthy as possible for their final preseason game, Redick said he doesn’t care about that and is more focused on getting everyone as healthy as possible for the season opener.
“It’s important, just to get game reps together, but health is key,” Williams said. “If you can’t go, you just can’t. It’s not the end of the world. … It’s not worth [it] to risk your body for a game that doesn’t count and then be out for the real game. We have a great staff who’s leading us in the right direction.”
You can follow Connor on Twitter at @cmorenoNBA.
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