Jaxson Hayes on Vanderbilt Injury as Lakers List Forward Day-to-Day
jaxson hayes watched Jarred Vanderbilt leave Game 1 with a dislocated right pinky finger, then called the injury “disgusting” after the Lakers’ loss to the Thunder on Tuesday. Vanderbilt was listed as day-to-day for the second-round series on Wednesday after the finger was put back in place and splinted.
Vanderbilt's Game 1 injury
Vanderbilt was hurt in the second quarter while trying to block a dunk by Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren, and his hand hit the backboard on the play. Redick said the finger had a full dislocation, and the bone broke through the skin before it was set back in place.
That left the Lakers with a rotation question in a playoff series that had already moved to Game 2 at Paycom Center on Thursday night. Vanderbilt’s status matters because he was injured in the second-round matchup, and the team was left managing a defensive piece while the series kept moving.
Redick's day-to-day update
Redick said Wednesday that “They were able to put his finger back together and it’s splinted and he’s day-to-day.” He also said, “It just, he had a full dislocation. So they just put the stuff back together. You know, he’ll be day-to-day.”
He added, “Certainly the pain is involved,” and said, “We’re obviously going to splint him, but making sure the tissue is healed enough to protect his skin barrier.” Vanderbilt had his finger taped and wore a splint after the game, which fit the team’s short-term approach to the injury.
Jaxson Hayes on the play
Hayes did not soften his reaction. He called the injury “disgusting,” said “the whole bone was out of his skin,” and added, “Obviously, you never want to see one of your teammates go down.” He followed that with, “But, I mean, that was gross. That was really gross.”
For the Lakers, the immediate issue is whether Vanderbilt can handle the pain and return to the court while the series continues. For now, the team has a forward listed day-to-day after a full dislocation, a splint on the finger, and a roster spot that may have to be covered if he cannot go.
