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New footage emerged Tuesday showing exactly how Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt hurt his hand against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The 27-year-old exited in the second quarter of Game 1 of the NBAWestern Conference semifinals series on Tuesday.
MORE: Luka Doncic draws Ric Flair’s anger during Lakers-Thunder game
He attempted a chase-down block on a fastbreak dunk by Chet Holmgren. But instead of the ball, he made contact with the backboard. Vanderbilt’s right pinky finger bent awkwardly on impact.
Vanderbilt sustained a full dislocation of his right pinky finger and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Another angle of the incident brought the moment into sharper focus. The clip shows a zoomed-in version of the incident.
The injury was severe enough to stop play entirely. Several Thunder players on the bench, including Jalen Williams and Jared McCain, turned away after witnessing the dislocation up close.
Vanderbilt played just six minutes, finishing with two points on 1-of-2 shooting and one rebound. The Thunder defeated the Lakers 108-90 to take a 1-0 series lead.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (L) reaches for a loose ball | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Los Angeles now awaits imaging results. Should a fracture be confirmed, Vanderbilt could miss at least a month, a potential end to his 2026 postseason run.
The possible absence is a significant blow for head coach JJ Redick. Vanderbilt served as a defensive anchor for the Lakers’ second unit all season. He appeared in 65 games and averaged 4.4 points and 4.5 rebounds. His length and athleticism provide crucial resistance against Oklahoma City’s bruising frontcourt.
Los Angeles enters this series already decimated by injuries. Luka Doncic, the Lakers’ best player, remains sidelined after sustaining a strained left hamstring.
Los Angeles has yet to play a full-strength game this postseason. Game 2 tips off Thursday at Paycom Center.
Continue reading...
The 27-year-old exited in the second quarter of Game 1 of the NBAWestern Conference semifinals series on Tuesday.
MORE: Luka Doncic draws Ric Flair’s anger during Lakers-Thunder game
He attempted a chase-down block on a fastbreak dunk by Chet Holmgren. But instead of the ball, he made contact with the backboard. Vanderbilt’s right pinky finger bent awkwardly on impact.
Vanderbilt sustained a full dislocation of his right pinky finger and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Another angle of the incident brought the moment into sharper focus. The clip shows a zoomed-in version of the incident.
Jarred Vanderbilt adds to Los Angeles Lakers’ growing injury woes
The injury was severe enough to stop play entirely. Several Thunder players on the bench, including Jalen Williams and Jared McCain, turned away after witnessing the dislocation up close.
Vanderbilt played just six minutes, finishing with two points on 1-of-2 shooting and one rebound. The Thunder defeated the Lakers 108-90 to take a 1-0 series lead.
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (L) reaches for a loose ball | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Los Angeles now awaits imaging results. Should a fracture be confirmed, Vanderbilt could miss at least a month, a potential end to his 2026 postseason run.
The possible absence is a significant blow for head coach JJ Redick. Vanderbilt served as a defensive anchor for the Lakers’ second unit all season. He appeared in 65 games and averaged 4.4 points and 4.5 rebounds. His length and athleticism provide crucial resistance against Oklahoma City’s bruising frontcourt.
Los Angeles enters this series already decimated by injuries. Luka Doncic, the Lakers’ best player, remains sidelined after sustaining a strained left hamstring.
Los Angeles has yet to play a full-strength game this postseason. Game 2 tips off Thursday at Paycom Center.
Continue reading...
