The Los Angeles Lakers have some new injury concerns going into their Game 2 matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
During the Wednesday afternoon Lakers availability, the veteran big man Jaxson Hayes addressed reporters. Before stepping away, Hayes was asked about Jarred Vanderbilt.
The outspoken center did not hold back.
Jaxson Hayes Speaks On Jarred Vanderbilt
“Did you see the picture of his finger? It was disgusting. Bro, his whole bone was out of his skin,” Hayes told reporters. “Obviously, you never want to see one of your teammates go down, but that was gross.”
Jarred Vanderbilt was an expected name on the injury report on Wednesday. During the Game 1 matchup on the road in OKC, Vanderbilt suffered a gruesome pinky injury.
As Vanderbilt went up to contest a shot near the basket, he hit his hand on the backboard. The veteran forward was down in pain for some time before officially checking out of the game.
The Lakers did not see Vanderbilt return, and they landed a diagnosis before Game 1 concluded.
via Shams Charania, ESPN: Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt has sustained a full dislocation of his right pinky finger in a gruesome injury tonight, sources tell ESPN.
The Lakers surprisingly considered Vanderbilt as day-to-day on Wednesday, despite the injury sending shockwaves across the LA locker room due to how “gross” it was.
The official injury report lists Vanderbilt as doubtful, which is a strong indication he won’t play, but the veteran isn’t ruled out just yet.
“I mean, he dislocated his finger, it’s not like he broke it. It’s gross … I’ve dislocated fingers. I’m not saying that wasn’t bad, that was definitely the worst dislocation I’ve ever seen in my life,” Hayes added. “I’m just surprised.”
During the playoffs, Vanderbilt has appeared in six games. The veteran has seen the court for 12 minutes per game off the bench. He is posting averages of 3.3 points and 3.8 rebounds.
After the Lakers dropped Game 1, they are looking to bounce back on Thursday night for one more game in OKC, before the series goes to California.