The Los Angeles Lakers will open the 2026-27 NBA season with Matisse Thybulle in their starting lineup, while also building a plan to protect the forward from his injury history.
Coach JJ Redick confirmed the decision before the team's preseason finale against the Denver Nuggets, according to BasketNews.
Thybulle joins Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Ziaire Williams and Walker Kessler in a group designed to give Los Angeles defensive cover around its main offensive threats.
The lineup was settled ahead of the regular-season opener against the Golden State Warriors the following week.
Medical Plan Aims to Keep Thybulle Available
Availability remains the central question.
A report by Khobi Price of the California Post, discussed on the Buha's Block podcast and carried by multiple basketball outlets, said the Lakers have set up a medical plan to help the 29-year-old stay healthy through the season.
Thybulle joined Los Angeles on a one-year, $3.3 million deal after more than three seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.
He played only 30 games last season and 15 the season before, according to BasketNews, after appearing in 65 games during the 2023-24 campaign.
Price said the plan depends on discipline from both sides.
"They have a plan in place, and it's up to them, but also him, to make sure they stay disciplined with that plan and don't stray too far from it," Price said.
The Lakers have not publicly detailed any limits on Thybulle's playing time or availability.
Price suggested the team may need to cap his minutes, rest him across consecutive games or manage his appearances when the schedule becomes especially demanding.
His recent injury concerns have covered knee, ankle, hip and thumb problems.
Last season he averaged 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 16.0 minutes across 30 appearances, according to BasketNews.
Price questioned whether Thybulle can be relied on for starter-level minutes early in the season.
"I'm not sure if he's, at least as of right now in mid-October going into the start of the season, a guy that you even want to rely on to play starter minutes," Price said.
"Let alone, is he a guy that you may have to sit out on a back-to-back or in those three-in-fours?"
The reporter also raised the idea that Los Angeles could save his best condition for the closing months of the regular season and the playoffs.
"Are you going to have to manage him throughout the season so you can get his best games in March, April, and possibly beyond?"
Price said.
Price added that Thybulle gave no detailed information about the medical arrangements when asked at media day and at a later shootaround in Las Vegas.
No specific schedule of minute restrictions or planned absences has been made public.
Defensive Reputation Behind the Decision
Thybulle built his reputation as a perimeter defender with the Philadelphia 76ers, earning NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2021 and 2022.
The Lakers expect that defensive ability to help address their struggles against opposing perimeter players.
Redick praised Thybulle's instincts, particularly his ability to disrupt passing lanes and generate steals.
"Matisse is such a unique player; he just really is," Redick said.
"I think our guys, hopefully, at some point this season, will pick up on the fact that if he's in the passing lane, you shouldn't pass the ball over there because he's probably going to steal it."
Redick also highlighted what joining the franchise means.
"I think it's a special opportunity to play for such a historic franchise, an accomplished franchise," he said.
Los Angeles had also weighed Jake LaRavia and Sandro Mamukelashvili for the final starting spot, according to Silver Screen and Roll.
Ziaire Williams emerged as another strong candidate after scoring 13 points on 3-for-3 shooting from three-point range in his only preseason appearance.
LaRavia started 43 games and appeared in all 82 games for the Lakers last season.
Kessler missed the Lakers' first three preseason games with a finger injury sustained in practice and returned before the Denver matchup.
The confirmed group gives Los Angeles its first preseason chance to field Doncic, Reaves and Kessler together.
