Jarred Vanderbilt was available to play again just four days after suffering a gruesome injury.
Vanderbilt was upgraded from questionable to available for Saturday’s Game 3 against the Thunder.
Vanderbilt’s Finger Injury
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.
Sources told The California Post on Tuesday that a bone in Vanderbilt’s pinky broke through the skin after he attempted to block an alley-oop for Chet Holmgren 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 Oklahoma City players reacting when they saw Vanderbilt’s hand.
He immediately went back to the locker room at the 5:51 mark of the second quarter.
Reddick’s Comments on Vanderbilt’s Quick Return
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.”
Vanderbilt is available to play after the medical staff ensured his finger was stable enough to return.