Brief

Lakers still weighing two opening‑night starters ahead of Warriors game

Coach JJ Redick says the Lakers have identified three starters but are still deciding who will fill the remaining two spots for the Oct. 21 season opener.

By Felo News Desk · Published Mon, 12 Oct 2026 11:42:25 GMT

Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters on Sept. 24 that Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler would make up roughly 60% of the Opening Night unit, but he left the final two spots open, saying the two other starters “will not be two white guys.” Nearly two‑and‑a‑half weeks later, the Lakers are still finalising those positions ahead of their regular‑season debut against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21 at Crypto.com Arena.

Redick explained that the first week of preseason has been “a little disjointed” because several players have missed games with injuries. Reaves and Kessler sat out the Oct. 5 preseason win over Sacramento, while Collin Sexton was also sidelined. The Oct. 6 back‑to‑back loss to Golden State saw Dončić, Reaves, Kessler, Sexton, Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams miss the matchup. Reaves finally made his preseason debut on Oct. 8, and Dončić and Thybulle also played, but Kessler, Williams and Sexton remained out, with Kessler and Sexton yet to debut.

Quentin Grimes, the 26‑year‑old wing who has started all three preseason games, is poised to be a starter. He averaged 13.4 points on 53.4% shooting (46.2% from three) and Redick praised him as a “nice complement to Luka and AR,” noting his prior experience playing with Dončić in Dallas.

Ziaire Williams, the 6‑foot‑10 forward, has earned praise for his defensive contributions in practice, keeping him in contention for the remaining spot. Redick also mentioned that Collin Sexton is dealing with a “lower right left injury” and is “probably a little bit further behind” Kessler in terms of readiness.

With just 1½ weeks before the season opener, Redick said the staff has seen “glimpses of the things we like” but has not reached a definitive decision, citing the limited preseason action and ongoing injuries as the main obstacles.

Key facts

Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler are projected to start for the Lakers on Opening Night. (nypost.com)
Quentin Grimes has started all three preseason games, averaging 13.4 points on 53.4% shooting. (nypost.com)
The Lakers' season opener is on Oct. 21 against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena. (nypost.com)
Collin Sexton is dealing with a lower‑right injury and has not yet played in preseason. (nypost.com)
Coach JJ Redick said the final two starting spots remain undecided as of Oct. 11. (nypost.com)