Hanging around for a while, the Los Angeles Lakers were aiming to make a timely run in an attempt to upstage the defending NBA champions in their own building.
It didn’t happen.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, despite battling some clear rust, kept the Lakers at an arm’s distance the entire time.
Minus the play of LeBron James and Marcus Smart, the Lakers didn’t receive impactful production, most notably from Austin Reaves, who played one of his worst playoff games.
After trailing by eight at halftime, the Lakers didn’t come out with their fast-ball in the third quarter. The Thunder eventually extended their lead to over 15 points thanks to a flurry of 3-pointers by Jared McCain.
L.A. lost Game 1 by 18 points. It also lost a key piece right before halftime.
Forward Jarred Vanderbilt appeared to suffer a gruesome injury after attempting to block Chet Holmgren’s dunk. Vanderbilt fell to the floor and bunched up as he screamed in pain.
Vanderbilt reportedly suffered a full dislocation of his right pinky finger.
Los Angeles Lakers Forward Hit With Potentially Bad Injury
A Holmgren denial on DeAndre Ayton kickstarted a Thunder fast break with roughly six minutes to play in the first half. As they often do so well, the Thunder sprinted out on the fast break. Big man Isaiah Hartenstein received a pass and then threw an alley-oop to Holmgren.
Holmgren, who finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting, slammed the basketball with ferocity. At that moment, Vanderbilt, attempting to reject Holmgren’s attempt, smashed his fingers on the backboard.
He immediately writhed in pain.
GettyChet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks against Rui Hachimura #28 and Jarred Vanderbilt #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 05, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
After being helped up, Vanderbilt was quickly taken back to the locker room. He did not return to the game.
After the game, head coach JJ Redick explained Vanderbilt was dealing with a potentially awful injury but was in good spirits. As of Wednesday morning, the Lakers have not provided a timeline on Vanderbilt’s injury.
However, according to injury expert Jeff Stotts of InStreetClothes.com, Vanderbilt’s injury, if the worst-case, could cause him to miss significant time.
“Jarred Vanderbilt Injury Update: While the injury can appear gruesome, most pinkie dislocations in the NBA have not resulted in missed time,” Stotts wrote on X. “However, that changes if the pinkie is fractured or a bone broke through the skin (open dislocation).”
L.A. Potentially Down Another Big Name
After the loss, James kept it simple when asked why the Lakers offense wasn’t free-flowing.
“We have a guy that averages 37 [points] a game [out],” James said. “Thirty-three-and-a-half. … There’s the issue right there.”
Well, the overall issues may have just been exacerbated by Vanderbilt’s injury.
Vanderbilt is not an offensive-oriented player; the Lakers count on him to provide pestering perimeter defense and intensity.
Against a physical and scrappy Oklahoma City team, the Lakers need every bit of what Vanderbilt brings to the table. But it seems they could be without Vanderbilt for some time in this series.
Since joining the Lakers in 2023, Vanderbilt has been highly productive when on the floor. But that’s the problem. The on the floor part.
Vanderbilt has dealt with multiple injuries that have sidelined him for a plethora of games.
The Lakers could be without a key defensive force in this uphill second round battle against the reigning champions.
Jarred Vanderbilt Injury Update: Expert Raises Worst-Case Scenario for Lakers Star