Jarred Vanderbilt suffered a severe pinky injury during Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The incident occurred early Tuesday as he attempted to block a dunk by Chet Holmgren.
Vanderbilt hit his finger on the backboard and left the game in severe pain. He did not return after exiting.
Before his injury, Vanderbilt scored two points and grabbed one rebound in just six minutes of play. The Lakers were trailing 61-53 at halftime when he exited.
The Lakers announced that Vanderbilt will not return for the remainder of the game. Several players on the Thunder bench immediately looked away at the sight of the injury.
Vanderbilt’s playing time has decreased recently, so his absence may not significantly impact the Lakers’ rotation. Jake LaRavia could see a larger role off the bench due to this injury.
As of midday, Vanderbilt’s status for Game 2 remains questionable. He was in severe pain after jamming his pinky finger against the side of the backboard.
This injury occurs during a critical playoff series, heightening concerns for the Lakers as they face off against defending champions Oklahoma City.
