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The Los Angeles Lakers have one final preseason tune-up before tipping off their regular-season schedule on Wednesday, Oct. 21. They will welcome the Denver Nuggets to Crypto.com Arena on Friday, aiming to build on a 2-2 preseason record.
Injuries have prevented the Lakers from fielding a fully healthy roster, which may have contributed to their turnover woes. Center Walker Kessler sat out the first three games with a jammed left pinky finger, forward Ziaire Williams missed the last three contests, forward Adou Thiero was absent from Tuesday's game against the Golden State Warriors, rookie Cameron Carr has been sidelined for the past two games, and guard Collin Sexton (lower leg) has yet to see any preseason action.
According to Khobi Price, Williams was a full participant in Thursday's practice, as was Luka Doncic, who missed Tuesday's game. Williams has been dealing with a foot issue but expressed confidence in his ability to play.
Sexton also practiced but did not take part in live drills. Head coach JJ Redick said Sexton is "trending in the right direction" regarding his availability for next week's regular-season opener. Sexton is nursing a lower right leg ailment.
The Lakers have clearly felt Sexton's absence during the preseason. They have turned the ball over frequently, and his ball-handling, ability to break down defenses, and downhill attacking style would alleviate significant pressure on Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Redick noted that Thiero was a limited participant in Thursday's practice and that his absence on Tuesday was for "maintenance" purposes. Carr did not practice on Thursday.
This article originally appeared on Lakers Wire: Lakers injury updates on Collin Sexton and three other players.
Originally reported by yahoo.