Los Angeles Lakers forward, Jarred Vanderbilt, suffered a right midfoot sprain during last week's game against the Boston Celtics. The team announced on Monday that he will be reevaluated by team doctors in approximately three to four weeks. This unfortunate injury comes after Vanderbilt missed the first 20 games of the season due to bursitis in his left heel.
However, prior to this setback, Vanderbilt had started to regain his form and show glimpses of his impact player abilities. In his last eight games before the injury, he averaged an impressive 10.5 points on 66% shooting, along with 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 steals. These numbers demonstrate his crucial contribution to the Lakers' run to the Western Conference finals last spring.
The 24-year-old Vanderbilt signed a lucrative four-year, $48 million contract extension with the Lakers just ahead of the training camp in the fall. This extension signified the team's belief in his potential and his importance to their future success. Unfortunately, injuries have plagued him this season, but the hope is that he will make a full recovery and continue to contribute significantly to the team.
Vanderbilt's absence will undoubtedly be felt by the Lakers, who will have to find ways to compensate for his absence on both ends of the court. His agility, defensive prowess, and ability to create scoring opportunities will be sorely missed. The team will have to rely on their depth and other players to step up and fill the void left by Vanderbilt's absence.
The Lakers, as well as their fans, will eagerly await Vanderbilt's return and the impact he can make on the team. In the meantime, they will continue to support him through his recovery process and hope for a swift and complete healing.
