{"id":194277,"date":"2026-05-06T11:34:30","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T15:34:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=194277"},"modified":"2026-05-06T13:38:42","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T17:38:42","slug":"jarred-vanderbilt-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/05\/06\/jarred-vanderbilt-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"Jarred Vanderbilt Injury Opens Door for 2 Lakers Wings"},"content":{"rendered":"

As if things could not get worse for the Los Angeles Lakers, Paycom Center has essentially become the team\u2019s makeshift ER. In the same building where <\/span>Luka Doncic<\/span><\/a> strained his hamstring and <\/span>Austin Reaves<\/span><\/a> strained his oblique, defensive ace <\/span>Jarred Vanderbilt<\/span><\/a> became the latest casualty.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he went up for a block against Oklahoma City Thunder\u00a0star Chet Holmgren<\/a>, Vanderbilt\u2019s right hand smacked the side of the backboard, resulting in a gruesome dislocated pinkie<\/a> that\u00a0<\/span>left the opponent’s bench stunned<\/span><\/a>. While he is reportedly considered day-to-day, the Lakers may need to call on two forwards in his absence.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jarred Vanderbilt Injury Opens Door for 2 Lakers Wings<\/h2>\n

JJ Redick on Jarred Vanderbilt<\/h3>\n

Head coach JJ Redick <\/span>told reporters<\/span><\/a> about his postgame interaction with Vanderbilt:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s in as good a spirit as you can be in this situation, obviously frustrated with what happened. \u2026 I went to go check on him, because it just looked bad. I mean, he was audibly screaming and knew he had done something. We\u2019re obviously disappointed that that happened and it\u2019s a freak injury.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Vanderbilt played just six minutes prior to going down in Game 1, putting up two points and a rebound in the process. In six playoff games with an average of 12 minutes per contest, he’s put up 3.3 points and 3.8 rebounds on 42.9% shooting from the field.<\/p>\n

Vanderbilt has often been one of the Lakers\u2019 better defenders, subbing in to challenge opposing stars or standout role players. With him out of commission and the Lakers\u2019 bench depth already thin, expect an increased workload for the team\u2019s starting frontcourt and several reserves.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Jake LaRavia Has Opportunity to Turn Season Around<\/h3>\n

Despite a polarizing regular season, the purple and gold may call on the hometown hero to help save the second unit. Jake LaRavia provides a similar skill set to Vanderbilt\u2014a 6\u20197\u201d wing with a sharp defensive mentality. The notable difference, however, lies in his offensive production, as he\u2019s been a relatively efficient scorer throughout his career.<\/span><\/p>\n

LaRavia became LA\u2019s ironman this year, playing all 82 games and starting 43 of them. Averaging 25.1 minutes, the Pasadena native put up 8.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals on .459\/.321\/.763 splits. While his perimeter shot has slumped in both the regular season and playoffs, <\/span>LaRavia<\/span><\/a> has remained committed to his craft. He must find that rhythm soon to keep the Lakers\u2019 season alive.<\/span><\/p>\n

LaRavia\u2019s struggles have overshadowed what could have been a <\/span>breakout year<\/span><\/a> for him. He now has a limited window to enter fans\u2019 good graces, but some decent contributions would go a long way at this point.<\/span><\/p>\n

All Rise for Adou Thiero?<\/h3>\n

Often forgotten on the Lakers\u2019 bench is a 21-year-old rookie who has grown into a fan favorite. <\/span>Adou Thiero<\/span><\/a> was viewed by some as the younger version of Jarred Vanderbilt, filled with elite athleticism and a promising defense-first mentality.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although he put up meager numbers in 25 regular-season games (1.9 points, 1.1 rebounds), <\/span>Thiero<\/span> has proven his worth<\/a> with LA\u2019s G League affiliate. He averaged 15.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists with the <\/span>now-former South Bay Lakers<\/span><\/a>, shooting 62.5% from the field and 64.3% from deep on limited volume. Thiero was just as solid defensively, putting up 0.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game with his <\/span>7\u20190\u201d wingspan and 41-inch vertical<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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ADOU THIERO RISE UP \ud83e\udd2f <\/p>\n

YOU MEAN TO TELL ME HE CAN\u2019T GET JAKE LARAVIA\u2019S MINUTES??? pic.twitter.com\/gptY4U2HIq<\/a><\/p>\n

— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 27, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n