In Game 1 against the OKC Thunder, Jarred Vanderbilt suffered a severe injury that could sideline him for the remainder of the series, posing a significant challenge for Head Coach JJ Redick.
With Luka Doncic still out due to injury, the Lakers are heavily reliant on every player during the postseason. However, Vanderbilt’s playoff debut against the Oklahoma City Thunder (90:108) was cut short in the second quarter.
Midway through the second period, Isaiah Hartenstein made a lob pass to OKC’s top scorer, Chet Holmgren. Vanderbilt attempted to block the dunk but missed the ball entirely. Instead, his right hand struck the backboard, resulting in a complete dislocation of his pinky finger.
The incident occurred directly in front of the Thunder’s reserve players, who couldn’t bear to witness the injury and immediately turned away. Even before the trainer arrived, it was evident to Vanderbilt that he had sustained a serious injury. «He let out a loud scream,» explained his coach Redick at the post-game press conference.
Despite the distance, the Lakers coach immediately understood the severity. «It looked bad from our seats. I went over to him right away because it looked so awful.»
«Something Bad Happened»: Vanderbilt Faces Potential Series Absence
Top scorer LeBron James echoed similar sentiments: «He’s tough. If ‘Vando’ is in pain, then something bad really happened. It’s a real shame.» Vanderbilt was immediately substituted and went to the locker room. The Lakers soon ruled out his return during the game.
Vanderbilt was initially treated in the locker room. After the game, he was seen with his finger bandaged. NBA insider Shams Charania (ESPN) later reported that the 27-year-old required stitches because the finger bone had broken through the skin.
«He’s as good-spirited as one can be in this situation,» Redick announced. «But of course, he’s frustrated by what happened.» While a definitive timeline for his return has not yet been established, according to widespread media reports, he is unlikely to play in the second round.
Lakers’ Injury Woes: Doncic Out, Reaves Struggling Since Return
This is not the first time the Lakers have been plagued by injuries in this postseason. Doncic is still sidelined with a thigh injury he sustained at the end of the regular season. «Luka Magic» could potentially return as early as Game 3.
Austin Reaves missed the first four matchups in the opening series against the Houston Rockets. Since his return, the guard has struggled significantly with his shooting (14/46 FG, 2/17 3FG). In Game 1 against the Thunder, he was the only starter on his team to not score in double digits (8 PTS).
Vanderbilt scored 2 points (1/2 FG) in his six minutes against the Thunder before his injury. In the series against the Rockets, he was consistently an option off the bench, averaging 13.4 minutes in the first five games. The forward averaged 3.6 PPG and collected 4.4 RPG.
NBA Playoffs 2026: Second Round Standings Overview
| Conference | Matchup | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Western | Thunder (1) — Lakers (4) | 1-0 |
| Western | Spurs (2) — Timberwolves (6) | 0-1 |
| Eastern | Pistons (1) — Cavaliers (4) | 1-0 |
| Eastern | Knicks (3) — Sixers (7) | 1-0 |