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Los Angeles Lakers wing Ziaire Williams has been sidelined for the team's past three preseason contests due to a left foot injury, casting uncertainty on his bid to secure a starting role for the 2026-27 regular season. Williams made a strong first impression in his preseason debut, scoring 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field, but his status for the Lakers' final preseason game remains up in the air.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Williams indicated that he is not experiencing any residual effects from the foot issue. He stated that the decision to play in Friday night's matchup against the Denver Nuggets rests with the Lakers' training staff. "(I feel) good, good," Williams said, via Law Murray of The Athletic. "It's up to the staff now. I'm in good hands. They've been taking care of me. I'm ready to go."
Key Analysis
Williams is considered a leading candidate to start for the Lakers in the upcoming season, but the team may choose to exercise caution given his limited preseason reps. At 6-foot-9, Williams possesses the physical attributes to be a disruptive point-of-attack defender. However, the Lakers expect more from him, particularly on the boards. The 25-year-old wing is eager to contribute to the rebounding effort, emphasizing the need for collective responsibility. "It takes all five of us to gang rebound, especially if (Walker Kessler)'s not in," Williams added. "We just gotta do a better job. Just want it a little bit more. Just wanting to fight the box-off battle. We'll get there."
Last season with the Brooklyn Nets, Williams appeared in 56 games, averaging 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.4 steals in 22.9 minutes per contest. The Lakers are counting on him to provide depth on the wing, though it remains unclear whether he has done enough to earn a starting job, especially with Jake LaRavia shooting well from deep during the preseason.
Originally reported by yahoo.