OKLAHOMA CITY — Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt dislocated his right pinkie Tuesday night during Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, team sources confirmed, with photos and video appearing to show that the joint punctured his skin. The injury occurred while Vanderbilt was trying to block a Chet Holmgren dunk, and he doubled over in pain after smacking his finger on the backboard.
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Lakers medical personnel covered the finger with a towel and immediately brought Vanderbilt to the locker room, where Paycom Center workers could hear his pained screams.
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“He’s tough as nails. So if Vando was in pain, then something actually really happened,” LeBron James said. “So, it sucks.”
Some teammates refused to watch a replay after it happened. Thunder players on the bench quickly turned away when Vanderbilt’s finger was exposed to them. Lakers star Luka Dončić was wincing along with Vanderbilt as he walked by.
Vanderbilt, 27, is an important reserve for the Lakers who supplies much-needed on-court toughness and behind-the-scenes calm. He averaged 4.4 points and 4.5 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game this season.
In his absence, the Lakers, who are already missing Dončić and recently welcomed Austin Reaves back to the lineup from injury, used an eight-man rotation for the rest of their 108-90 Game 1 defeat.
Forward Jake LaRavia, who logged 14 minutes in Game 1, will likely see increased playing time in Vanderbilt’s absence.
Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday night in Oklahoma City.