Lakers Share Updates On Jarred Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schifino

The Los Angeles Lakers gear up for the season opener and now we have an update on Jarred Vanderbilt and Jalen Hood-Schifino. NBA analysts were concerned about the health condition of both players as they deal with injuries. According to latest reports, both players will miss the game against the Denver Nuggets.

“Jarred Vanderbilt has officially been ruled out of the season opener in Denver by the Lakers because of his left heel soreness,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin posted on X on October 23.

The injury kept Vanderbilt outside the basketball court for most of the preseason. Head coach Darvin Ham will have to create other scenarios if he misses more time. He was a starter in 24 of 26 games with the Lakers and averaged 7.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. In 15 postseason games, Vanderbilt started 13 and averaged 4.6 points and 3.2 rebounds.

Lakers have great expectations from Vanderbilt

The Lakers didn’t give Vanderbilt a big role later in the postseason but Ham has great words for his performance. He signed a four-year contract extension worth $48 million.

Vanderbilt gets right to work 💨

Lakers off to the races, WCF Game 2 LIVE on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/6K3L0i8ovp

— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2023

“His ability to just lock in and be selfless, taking tough matchups, diving on the floor, doing the dirty work, setting screens, going to the second or third action when he’s involved, it’s great,” Ham said following Game 1 of the series against the Memphis Grizzlies in April. “It’s invaluable. And I’m just happy we have an asset like that on our roster.”

Hood-Schifino will miss significant time

The rookie deals with a contusion and will probably miss a few games of the regular season. Replacing him wouldn’t be challenging at all, but it is still an issue for the franchise.

“Jalen Hood-Schifino (right patella contusion) will miss at least the opening week of his rookie season,” McMenamin posted separately. He’ll be re-evaluated Nov. 3, the team says.”

Vanderbilt clicked with Lakers teammates

The Lakers had a few good reasons to sign Vanderbilt and he was a natural fit for the team. He is happy with his current home and his chemistry with other players will help the team win more games.

LeBron's hyped 👀 pic.twitter.com/C2pe2eFXej

— Kit Guinhawa (@BeatKit22) September 19, 2023

“Everybody that came in, we were [able] to play alongside those guys,” Vanderbilt said on September 19. “I think that’s why we were able to take off because we d*** near complemented what they needed at the time. So, playing with them, they was, s***, pretty much just leading the way.”