Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt Gets Optimistic Injury Update For Game 5 Vs. Nuggets

The Los Angeles Lakers need all the help they can get in Game 5 of the series against the Denver Nuggets. Some of their key players deal with injuries, but Jarred Vanderbilt may actually join the team in Game 5.

According to the latest injury report, the Lakers have listed Vanderbilt as questionable for Monday’s game. It’s an upgrade for his health condition and fans are excited about his potential return.

Vanderbilt suffered a mid-right foot sprain in the game against the Boston Celtics on Feb.1. The Lakers ruled him out and he missed all games in the last few months. NBA analysts expected Vanderbilt to see action in Games 3 and 4, but he didn’t join his teammates. The Lakers medical staff has to clear him first. It’s interesting to note that the Lakers haven’t provided an update on Vanderbilt’s condition in the last few weeks.

Lakers could get great performance from Vanderbilt in Game 5

Vanderbilt missed a big chunk of the regular season and his absence may have had an impact on the performance in general. He missed the first 20 games of the season due to a left heel soreness. The Lakers had high expectations from him, but he was out most of the time.

In 26 games with six starts, Vanderbilt averaged 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals on 51.8% shooting in 20 minutes per game.

Vanderbilt may not be 100% once he returns to the basketball court, but he will definitely give the Lakers some easy shots.

D'Angelo Russell interrupted Austin Reaves to give Jarred Vanderbilt his flowers. "When y'all tweet make sure y'all give Vando some love, he played his ass off."

Austin: "He should be in here instead of me … I said I'd come sit in here and listen to DLo talk." pic.twitter.com/OSSB5x93Xz

— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvo_) January 26, 2024

“Energy,” LeBron said at practice last week when reporters asked about Vanderbilt’s contribution to the Lakers. “Super high energetic, defensively, some of the things he brings to our team, you don’t even teach. You just allow him to go out there and just be Vando. We don’t know for sure that we’re getting him back, we don’t know, we’ve only seen a couple reports. But he knows his body better than anybody.”