Jarred Vanderbilt to Miss Game 1 vs. Thunder with Right Finger Injury
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The Los Angeles Lakers have ruled forward Jarred Vanderbilt out of Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder after he injured his right finger, the team announced Monday.
The injury occurred midway through the second quarter at Paycom Center when Vanderbilt tried to block a dunk by Chet Holmgren. He missed the ball, struck his hand against the backboard and immediately left the floor in visible pain. The 27-year-old logged six minutes before exiting, finishing with two points and one rebound.
Head coach JJ Redick had planned to increase Vanderbilt’s minutes in this series to help contain Oklahoma City’s perimeter attack. With Vanderbilt sidelined, Redick is expected to tighten the rotation and could look to Bronny James or Adou Thiero for spot minutes off the bench.
The Lakers return to the court for Game 2 on Thursday, also in Oklahoma City. Vanderbilt’s availability for that contest remains uncertain.
LeBron James on Facing the Defending Champions
Speaking on the latest episode of the “Mind the Game” podcast, LeBron James acknowledged Los Angeles enters the series as a clear underdog.
“We’re undermanned and we’re the underdog and we understand that,” James said. “We cannot shortcut the details. In order for us to give ourselves a chance to win games, we cannot shortcut the details in the game plan.”
The four-time MVP added that limiting turnovers and “controlling the controllables” will be critical against a Thunder club he called “one of the most historic basketball teams offensively and defensively that our league has seen.”
Source: Lakers Nation
