Jarred Vanderbilt leaves Game 1 of Lakers-Thunder with finger injury

TL;DR

Jarred Vanderbilt left Game 1 of the Lakers-Thunder playoff series due to a right finger injury. He sustained the injury while attempting to block an alley-oop, hitting his pinky on the backboard.

Key points

Jarred Vanderbilt left Game 1 due to a right finger injury
Injury occurred while blocking an alley-oop attempt
Vanderbilt's pinky hit the backboard during the play

Jarred VanderbiltLos Angeles LakersOklahoma City ThunderChet Holmgren

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) is escorted off the court in pain by athletic trainers, Image 2 shows Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) is helped off the court by a trainer in pain during the 2026 NBA Playoffs

OKLAHOMA CITY — Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt had an early exit from Tuesday’s Game 1 against the Thunder because of a right finger injury.

Vanderbilt suffered the injury while attempting to block an alley-oop for Chet Holmgren, with Vanderbilt’s right pinky hitting the backboard as he swiped for the ball.

The 6-foot-8 forward immediately went to the ground in pain, holding his right hand near the Thunder bench, with Oklahoma City players reacting in disgust when they saw Vanderbilt’s hand.