Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt was in obvious pain after hitting his pinky finger against the backboard while trying to block a dunk attempt from Oklahoma City Thunder star Chet Holmgren.
Vanderbilt, 27, suffered a dislocated pinky, sources told ESPN on Tuesday, May 5, after the Lakers’ 108-90 loss to the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.
“I just talked to him,” Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters after the game. “He’s in as good of spirits as you can be in this situation, obviously frustrated with what happened.”
Redick, 41, added, “I had to go check on him because it just looked bad. I mean, he was audibly screaming, and you knew he had done something. So, we’re obviously disappointed that happened. It’s just a freak injury.”
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Immediately after the play, Vanderbilt was seen doubled over in pain underneath the basket in front of the Thunder bench. Thunder players appeared noticeably shaken at the sight, turning away from the gruesome injury.
ESPN reports that Vanderbilt needed stitches because the dislocated finger broke skin. The Lakers quickly ruled him out for the remainder of the game and his status for the rest of the series remains uncertain.
Vanderbilt remained in the arena rather than going to the hospital and was seen in the locker room after the game with a bandage around his finger.
“He’s tough as nails,” Lakers star LeBron James said. “If Vando was in pain, then something actually really happened. So, it sucks.”
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The timing is also rough for Lakers fans. In addition to it being the NBA Playoffs, Los Angeles is already dealing with the absence of Luka Dončić, who is battling a left hamstring strain.
Jeff Stotts, athletic trainer and injury expert, gave Lakers fans even more upsetting news on Tuesday, explaining that Vanderbilt’s injury normally wouldn’t be as bad as it looked, but in his case, it might be.
“Jarred Vanderbilt Injury Update: While the injury can appear gruesome, most pinkie dislocations in the NBA have not resulted in missed time,” Stotts wrote via X. “However, that changes if the pinkie is fractured or a bone broke through the skin (open dislocation).”
While Vanderbilt is far from the Lakers’ biggest offensive threat, he has been invaluable to the team on defense. Without Dončić, 27, there to pace the offense, holding the Thunder down might be the Lakers’ best shot at advancing.
The Lakers and Thunder will play Game 2 of their best-of-seven series on Thursday, May 7, in Oklahoma City.
