Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt available vs. Thunder after gruesome injury

TL;DR

Jarred Vanderbilt is available to play for the Lakers against the Thunder after suffering a gruesome injury just four days prior. He was upgraded from questionable to available for Game 3.

Key points

Jarred Vanderbilt suffered an open dislocation of his right pinky.
He was upgraded to available for Game 3 against the Thunder.
Vanderbilt's injury occurred while attempting to block an alley-oop.

Mentioned in this story

JJ Redick

Jarred VanderbiltLos Angeles LakersOklahoma City Thunder

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Jarred Vanderbilt wearing a maroon jersey with the number 96, a black baseball cap, jeans, and several necklaces, Image 2 shows A basketball player from the Los Angeles Lakers hunches over while a trainer attends to him Just four days after suffering a gruesome injury, Jarred Vanderbilt was available to play again. Vanderbilt was upgraded from questionable to available for Saturday’s Game 3 against the Thunder.

The Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt was available to play Saturday in Game 3. Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images The 6-foot-8 forward suffered an open dislocation to his right pinky during the second quarter of Tuesday’s Game 1 loss to the Thunder in Oklahoma City. Medical personnel were able “to put his finger back together,” according to Lakers coach JJ Redick, who added that Vanderbilt’s status was day to day. Vanderbilt was doubtful before being downgraded to unavailable for Thursday’s Game 2 loss. “We just had to kind of make sure that the tissue and the stitches were good to go so that the bone wouldn’t pop out again. But, I mean, he’s certainly tough-minded and wants to give it a go,” Redick said. Redick added on the left-handed Vanderbilt: “Glad he’s never taken a shot right-handed in his life.” Sources told The California Post on Tuesday that a bone in Vanderbilt’s pinky broke through the skin after during the second quarter of Game 1, with Vanderbilt’s 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 reacting when they saw Vanderbilt’s hand. Vanderbilt watched Game 2 from the bench. AP He immediately went back to the locker room at the 5:51 mark of the second quarter.

Q&A

What injury did Jarred Vanderbilt suffer during Game 1?

Jarred Vanderbilt suffered an open dislocation of his right pinky during the second quarter of Game 1.

How did Jarred Vanderbilt's injury occur?

Vanderbilt's injury occurred when he attempted to block an alley-oop, hitting his pinky against the backboard.

What did Lakers coach JJ Redick say about Vanderbilt's recovery?

JJ Redick mentioned that they needed to ensure the tissue and stitches were secure to prevent further injury, praising Vanderbilt's toughness.