Lakers Roster: Adou Thiero returns for Portland game
The second-round pick misses the first nine games with knee swelling before rejoining the active roster for Friday's NBA Cup match.
By Austin Reed ·
Lakers guard Adou Thiero will play his first regular season game on Friday night against the Portland Trail Blazers. The 6-foot-7 forward returns to the active roster after missing the opening stretch of the 2026-27 season due to swelling in his left knee. His return adds depth to a defensive group that includes Jake LaRavia, Ziaire Williams, and Matisse Thybulle.
Thiero, the Lakers' second-round pick in the 2025 draft, began the 2025-26 season injured. He underwent left knee surgery before joining the team. He spent part of that year with the G League affiliate, then played in 25 regular season games for Los Angeles. He averaged 1.9 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 6.0 minutes per game during that span. Coach JJ Redick included him in the playoffs rotation against the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder.
The offseason provided Thiero with his first long stretch of healthy training time. He averaged 14.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.0 steals per game in seven summer league games. In three preseason games, he averaged 18.4 minutes per game before his knee issue resurfaced. Redick noted progress in Thiero's ability to crash the boards and cut to the paint.
Thiero missed the first nine games of the current regular season with knee swelling. The team removed him from the injury report on Thursday evening. He is set to take the floor in Friday's NBA Cup game. Redick said the primary expectation for Thiero is consistent execution and high energy. Redick stated that Thiero has established that level of effort as a baseline for his development.
Teammates describe Thiero as a physical presence on defense. LaRavia said Thiero plays with strength and athleticism, noting that he can attack opponents at any moment. LaRavia acknowledged that Thiero may need a few games to find rhythm, but his presence raises the team's defensive ceiling. Thiero will likely serve as one of several wing defenders while center Walker Kessler protects the rim.
On Thursday, the Lakers also sent guard Bronny James and rookie Cameron Carr to the Coachella Valley Lakers. The two guards will play in the G League season opener against Salt Lake City in Palm Desert. Redick said the message to both players was simple. They need playing time and repetition to develop. James will play in the G League for a third consecutive season.
Thiero's return marks the end of his initial absence from the Lakers roster. He joins the active lineup for the upcoming schedule. The team will rely on his availability to manage rotation depth. Friday's game against Portland will be his first appearance in a regular season uniform this year.
