Vanderbilt Suffers Dislocated Right Pinkie in Lakers’ Semifinal Opener
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OKLAHOMA CITY — Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt sustained a complete dislocation of his right pinkie finger during Tuesday night’s 108-90 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, according to ESPN.
The injury occurred with 5:57 remaining in the second quarter when Vanderbilt attempted to contest a dunk by Thunder center Chet Holmgren. As he swiped from behind, his finger struck the corner of the backboard. Holmgren converted the dunk, extending Oklahoma City’s lead to 48-39.
Vanderbilt screamed in pain, prompting a Lakers timeout. Assistant athletic trainer Octavio Marquez Montoya and head coach JJ Redick crossed the court to assist him, while several Thunder players turned away after seeing the severity of the injury. Sources said the dislocation was so severe that the bone pierced the skin, requiring stitches after the game.
“I had to go check on him because it just looked bad,” Redick said postgame. “He was audibly screaming, and you knew he had done something. It’s just a freak injury.”
Vanderbilt, ruled out at halftime, remained in the arena and later addressed reporters with the finger heavily bandaged. “He’s tough as nails,” LeBron James said. “If Vando was in pain, then something actually really happened. So, it sucks.”
Before leaving the contest, Vanderbilt logged two points and one rebound in six minutes. He had averaged 3.6 points and 4.4 rebounds over 13.2 minutes during the Lakers’ first-round victory against the Houston Rockets.
The series continues Thursday in Oklahoma City.
Source: ESPN
