Los Angeles Lakers heart Jarred Vanderbilt suffered a proper foot harm through the first half of the workforce’s 114-105 win over the Boston Celtics on Feb. 1. It was initially reported that Vanderbilt would endure a season-ending process.
Nevertheless, X-rays taken at TD Backyard got here again damaging. Based on NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Vanderbilt might return in time earlier than the Lakers’ common season ends on April 14.
“There’s extra inside optimism that Vanderbilt will return earlier than the common season ends subsequent month, in line with workforce and league sources,” Buha wrote.
Jarred Vanderbilt engaged on one-legged photographs pic.twitter.com/Kgodd6ae1m
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) March 18, 2024
Vanderbilt, 24, missed the primary 20 video games of the season due to bursitis in his left heel. The six-year veteran has made six begins by simply 29 video games performed this season with the Lakers.
Previous to his foot harm, he was averaging 5.2 factors, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 20 minutes per recreation whereas taking pictures 51.8% from the sphere 66.7% on the free throw line.
The College of Kentucky product has averaged 11.3 factors in his previous six video games— the very best points-per-game common over a six-game stretch in his six-year profession, per ESPN Stats & Info.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt (proper foot) will in all probability return earlier than Gabe Vincent (left knee)
In Los Angeles’ 141-132 victory in opposition to the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 25, the ahead recorded a season-high 17 factors, 5 rebounds, three steals, and one block in 27 minutes off the bench.
Vanderbilt signed a four-year, $48 million contract extension with the Lakers in September. His new deal begins subsequent season and runs by 2027-28.
As for the remainder of the Lakers’ harm report, Gabe Vincent (left knee) was on monitor to return this month. Although, he stays sidelined. Vincent underwent arthroscopic surgical procedure on his left knee in late December.
Of the 2, Vanderbilt is extra more likely to return in time for the NBA playoffs.
LAKERS MEDICAL UPDATE
Lakers ahead/heart Christian Wooden underwent a profitable arthroscopic surgical process on his left knee at present. The process was carried out by Dr. Kristofer J. Jones at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Heart. Additional updates shall be supplied as applicable.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 19, 2024
Then there’s Christian Wooden, who underwent an arthroscopic process on his left knee and can stay sidelined for a number of extra weeks.
“Wooden is predicted to overlook the remainder of the common season; there’s an opportunity he’ll return for Play-In recreation(s) or the playoffs if the Lakers get there, in line with workforce sources,” Buha wrote.
Through the 2023 offseason, Wooden signed a one-year, veteran minimal contract with the Lakers. The UNLV product is making $2.7 million this season and his 2024-25 participant possibility is value $3.03 million.
With 13 video games left of the common season, the ninth-seeded Lakers (37-32) are forward of the No. 10-seeded Golden State Warriors (35-32) by half a recreation within the Western Convention standings. Los Angeles additionally trails the No. 8-seeded Sacramento Kings (40-29) by three video games.