​Cameron Carr has moved past the toe problem that held him back during the third game of the Cali Classic. “It just looked a little strange,” Carr said, describing the issue that briefly hampered his performance. The concern was enough to raise questions about his ability to push through the remainder of the tournament, but Carr appears optimistic about his recovery and readiness to contribute moving forward.
Lakers coach Ty Abbott provided an encouraging update about Carr and Adou Thiero, noting that both players will be available for Friday’s slate in Las Vegas. Abbott indicated that Carr and Thiero, who has been dealing with a wrist problem, will be cleared to participate in the action in Vegas. However, he also made clear that the team has not yet made a final call on how much playing time each of them will receive over the course of the tournament in Las Vegas. The decision on minutes will likely hinge on a combination of their health status, how they look in morning workouts and shootarounds, and the matchup dynamics the coaching staff believes will best help the squad.
Carr’s positive shift in status comes at a time when depth and versatility are increasingly valuable for the Lakers as they evaluate talent ahead of the upcoming season. The toe issue that briefly limited his impact could have impacted his ability to change pace, plant, and explode on cuts and drives, all of which are critical for a guard who relies on quick bursts and lateral movement. By his own account, the discomfort no longer presents a significant hindrance, and he feels ready to contribute in a meaningful way when the team returns to competition in Las Vegas.
Thiero’s wrist bother has also been a point of focus for the coaching staff. While the ailment is not expected to keep him out long-term, the training staff will want to monitor his workload to ensure it remains stable as drills become more intense and the tournament progresses. The Lakers are likely weighing the balance between giving him live-in-game reps to build rhythm and ensuring he doesn’t aggravate the injury by pushing too hard too soon.
Friday’s game in Las Vegas will provide a clearer gauge of both players’ readiness and role. If Carr is able to display his usual sharpness and confidence, he could be relied upon to bring scoring punch and dynamic ball-handling off the bench or to slot into the rotation as a secondary playmaker. Thiero’s return to full speed would add another athletic, wingspan-equipped option on the perimeter, with the potential to contribute on both ends of the floor. The coaching staff will be watching closely to determine the best way to integrate them into the lineup without jeopardizing their health.
Fans and analysts will be looking for tangible signs of how Carr moves with confidence and how quickly he can reestablish his timing on the court. A clean bill of health, coupled with the natural chemistry he has developed with teammates, would bode well for his chances of earning meaningful minutes as the tournament progresses. Similarly, Thiero’s wrist health will be a barometer for his ability to extend his range of activity and provide the team with his usual blend of slashing ability and defensive activity.
In the broader context, the Lakers’ approach to these two players in Las Vegas reflects a careful balance between evaluation and prudence. The organization appears intent on giving Carr and Thiero every chance to prove they belong in the rotation, while also ensuring that any decisions are grounded in a thorough assessment of their physical readiness. The outcome of Friday’s game could serve as an early indicator of how the rest of the tournament will unfold for both players, setting the tone for how aggressively the team may deploy them as the season nears.
As the weekend unfolds, Carr and Thiero will be among the names to watch for Lakers observers. If both can participate at a high level and avoid any re-aggravation of their respective issues, it would send a positive signal about the depth and resilience of the roster. Conversely, if either case reveals lingering limitations or causes the coaching staff to pull back on their minutes, that would also provide a clear directive for how the team plans to manage these players as they ramp up toward the regular season. In the end, the key takeaway is that both Carr and Thiero are slated to be in Las Vegas for Friday’s action, and their performances there will shape the next steps of their preparation and the broader evaluation of the Lakers’ backcourt and wing depth moving forward.