The Los Angeles Lakers’ depth was already tenuous heading into the playoffs. It’s even more so now ahead of Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals on Thursday night.
Jarred Vanderbilt went down with a gruesome hand injury when his fingers hit the backboard while trying to contest an alley-oop towards the end of the first half in Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, resulting in a full dislocation of his right pinky that also broke skin. But there’s optimism that the Lakers’ fan favorite avoided the worst-case scenario.
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During the off day on Wednesday, Lakers head coach JJ Redick told reporters that “they were able to put his finger back together,” with stitches and put the finger in a splint.
Jarred Vanderbilt injury update: Status ahead of Game 2
Vanderbilt is considered day-to-day and is officially listed as doubtful for Game 2, according to the latest NBA injury report.
“He’s obviously a tough-minded player and person,” Redick told reporters. “… Certainly the pain is involved (in a return), from my understanding. Basically, making sure that the tissue is healed enough to protect his skin barrier and the bone.”
Vanderbilt was screaming and doubled over in pain as he walked off the court towards the locker room at the 5:51-mark of the second quarter. Athletic trainers placed a towel over his hand to conceal the graphic injury, but some camera angles did show a bone in his pinky sticking out through the side of his skin.
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The Thunder bench reacted and moved out of the way when they got a glimpse of it.
While Vanderbilt is unlikely to play on Thursday, it seems like he avoided the worst possibility of a fracture. The only other Lakers listed on the injury report were Luka Doncic (out with a grade 2 left hamstring strain) and Luke Kennard, who is questionable with neck soreness.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jarred Vanderbilt injury update: Latest on Lakers finger, game status
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