The Los Angeles Lakers return home and will look to get back in their second round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers trail 2-0 in the series and will need the entire roster locked in if they plan on turning things around and while there are no new additions to the injury report, the status of one player remains up in the air.
Veteran forward Jarred Vanderbilt is being listed as questionable for Game 3 with his dislocated right pinky finger while superstar guard Luka Doncic remains out as he recovers from his Grade 2 left hamstring strain.
Jarred Vanderbilt questionable
Vanderbilt potentially suiting up just four days after suffering a full dislocation of his right pinky finger would be a bit surprising, but seems to be in play. The injury was a gruesome one with the bone actually breaking the skin and Thunder players visibly looking away in horror as Vanderbilt was helped off the court.
But the veteran knows it is playoff time and will do whatever he can to help this Lakers team, so if he is able to give them anything he will give it a go. And the Lakers could certainly use what Vanderbilt brings to the table with his attitude, energy and defensive prowess.
The Lakers could also use the depth as Jake LaRavia has struggled for most of the postseason and played just 10 minutes in Game 2, leaving Luke Kennard and Jaxson Hayes as the only reserves trusted by JJ Redick. This has led to the Lakers wearing down and running out of gas down the stretch of games as opposed to the Thunder who can go 10-deep in their rotation.
Redick did give rookie Adou Thiero a look during Game 2 so perhaps he could get an extended shot if Vanderbilt is unable to go. But if the veteran suits up Redick could throw him out there, especially as the Lakers look to shift the energy and increase their level of physicality.
Luka Doncic initial timeline doesn’t line up well for return this series
The hope coming into the playoffs was that Doncic could potentially return in the middle of the second round should the Lakers make it that far. However the superstar still doesn’t seem close to a return and his original timeline would suggest that it is unlikely he will suit up this round.
Doncic revealed that he was initially told that it would take eight weeks for him to recover from his hamstring strain and with him still not being cleared for full contact activities a return doesn’t seem close.
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