Head coach JJ Redick has had to limit a few players during camp, but he does not see any of it turning into a long-term problem.
A few days into training camp, the Los Angeles Lakers have a handful of players on a lighter load, and head coach JJ Redick is not concerned.
He has said all week that nobody is dealing with an injury that should worry fans over the long run.
The Lakers ran an extended scrimmage on Thursday, the third day of camp, and Redick said a couple of players were modified participants.
He would not say who they were or whether they will miss any preseason games, calling that part still to be determined, but he once again said none of it is a long-term concern.
Redick Has Kept the Same Message
He first talked about the team's health after Tuesday's opening practice, when a couple of players were still being held out of contact work.
"Everybody participated," Redick said after that first practice. "We had a couple guys that are still not fully in contact mode, but they will be at some point this week. So there's really no concerns health-wise."
Two days later his tone was the same, as Silver Screen and Roll reported from Thursday's practice.
Wednesday went well too, since Redick said the staff had to change the final third of practice and cut a couple of things because the players were giving so much effort, and that effort has been a theme early in camp.
Keeping the names private is the right call by Redick, because there is no reason to rush anyone back for games that do not count.
Why the Lakers Need a Healthy Start
The Lakers have good reason to be careful.
Guard Luka Dončić saw his 2025-26 season end because of a Grade 2 hamstring strain in early April, though he says he is healthy now.
Center Walker Kessler, who signed a four-year, $130 million deal as part of a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz, played just five games last season because of left shoulder surgery in November, and president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said at media day that Kessler is fully healthy and cleared.
Redick has already shown how much he likes the addition of Kessler, and Kessler, Dončić and guard Austin Reaves look like three of the starters, with two spots still up for grabs.
Keeping those three on the floor is more important than anything that happens in October.
Redick has won 50 or more games in each of his first two seasons, including 53 last season even though Dončić's year ended early.
A full season from Dončić with a healthy Kessler next to him would give this team a higher ceiling than either of those groups had.
What Comes Next
The Lakers will practice Saturday and Sunday before opening the preseason on Monday, Oct. 5, in Sacramento, and then they visit the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.
The regular season begins Wednesday, Oct. 21, when they host the Warriors at Crypto.com Arena.
Redick probably will not say much more about the limited players before then, and as long as his answer keeps coming back the same, there is no reason to read much into a few modified practices.
