As they face the gargantuan task of trying to upset the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers cannot afford to lose another player to an injury right now. They’re already without franchise player Luka Doncic, who is still out indefinitely with the Grade 2 hamstring strain he suffered on April 2.
In Game 1 versus the Thunder on Tuesday, forward Jarred Vanderbilt injured a finger midway through the second quarter while trying to block a dunk by Isaiah Hartenstein. He appeared to be in great pain and immediately headed to the locker room. As a result, he will not be available for the rest of the game, via Jovan Buha.
Vanderbilt doesn’t play much at times, but his ability and willingness to play 94 feet of energetic defense, hit the boards and handle the ball in transition are definite assets for the short-handed Lakers. In the first round of the playoffs against the Houston Rockets, he averaged 3.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in 13.3 minutes a game.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Jarred Vanderbilt will not return to Game 1 between Lakers and Thunder
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
