Collin Sexton Has Hopeful Injury Update Before Lakers’ Season Opener

Collin Sexton has taken an encouraging step toward making his Los Angeles Lakers debut, returning to full practice ahead of Wednesday’s season opener against the Golden State Warriors.

Sexton’s participation on Monday came after the guard had been dealing with a lower-leg issue. The return gives L.A. a positive development as it prepares to establish its regular-season rotation.

It does not settle his availability.

With the opening night in question, Sexton said, “We’ll be taking it day-by-day,” after Tuesday's practice.

That distinction matters for a Lakers team preparing to integrate another ballhandler around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Sexton’s participation moves the process forward, but his response leaves room for another evaluation before opening night.

For coach JJ Redick, the remaining preparation involves both monitoring Sexton’s progress and determining how to use him if he is available.

Sexton’s latest participation represents an increase from his earlier workload.

An Oct. 15 update on NBA.com noted that he participated in practice without taking part in live action. Monday’s return to full practice therefore offers a more encouraging indication of his progress toward game activity.

Practice provides an opportunity to work through the movements that matter for a guard: accelerating, stopping, changing direction and reacting to another player.

The next question is whether Sexton can continue building on that participation as the opener approaches. His day-by-day description leaves Wednesday’s outcome open.

The Lakers also must consider how to introduce him into combinations that are still developing familiarity.

Being available would give Redick another option. It would not automatically establish how many minutes Sexton should play or which lineup would suit him best immediately.

Those decisions can depend on his readiness, the game’s demands and how effectively the available groups function together.

If cleared, Sexton could help the Lakers maintain pressure on the defense when Doncic or Reaves rests.

His ability to attack off the dribble offers a potential source of offense when the initial action does not produce a shot. That can be valuable for reserve groups that need someone to create an advantage rather than simply move the ball around the perimeter.

Playing alongside one of the starting guards could also simplify his adjustment. Sexton could attack a defense already moving instead of having to initiate every possession himself.

The balance will involve recognizing when to push toward the basket and when to keep the offense moving through teammates.

Defensively, he would need to bring consistent engagement against a Warriors offense that demands attention away from the ball.

For now, the clearest development is his return to full practice. That gives the Lakers reason for optimism while leaving the final availability decision unresolved.

Wednesday could provide Sexton’s first opportunity to establish his place in the rotation. His latest comments suggest that possibility remains under evaluation.