The Los Angeles Lakers’ terrible luck against the Oklahoma City Thunder continues. JJ Redick’s team has lost to the reigning champs for the fifth straight time this season. Another underlying sliver of bad fortune is the Lakers’ injury problems against this same opposition. Toward the end of the regular season, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves suffered Grade 2 injuries. And while the Slovenian remains out, one more name was added to that casualty list last night. The second round of the playoffs has begun on a grim note, as Jarred Vanderbilt headed back to the locker room in pain during the game.

Vanderbilt has been a key rotation player, regardless of his public spat with Redick earlier this year. The fact of the matter is that the head coach utilizes him quite a bit. The 27-year-old averaged 17.4 minutes across 65 regular-season games and 13.4 minutes in the playoffs against the Houston Rockets. His length and athleticism would provide crucial resistance against Oklahoma City’s bruising frontcourt. But it seems Redick needs to find answers elsewhere now.

Rolling back to the second quarter with under six minutes remaining, the Thunder stole the ball and launched a fast break. Chet Holmgren finished the play with an alley-oop. But in an attempt to block the layup, Vanderbilt jammed his pinky finger on the corner of the backboard. The impact caused an immediate, extreme reaction, with the forward screaming in pain, bent over, holding his hand. He promoted the team to call a timeout immediately.

Vanderbilt walked to the sidelines, clutching his hand. Since it was near the Thunder bench, they also caught a glimpse of Vanderbilt’s injury, and their reaction doesn’t bode well. The NBC broadcast showcased opposition players immediately looking away from the gruesome sight. Jared McCain, in particular, looked shaken. Meanwhile, Jalen Williams, who’s sidelined with a hamstring strain, couldn’t believe what he was witnessing.

Lakers assistant athletic trainer Octavio Marquez Montoya and coach JJ Redick rushed across the length of the court to assess the injury. They later handed him a towel and eased him off the court. Soon, the Lakers dropped the unfortunate news that no one wanted to hear. They ruled him out for the remainder of Game 1 and confirmed it was a right finger injury. Shams Charania confirmed that Vando sustained a full dislocation of his right pinky finger and needed stitches. That’s because the bone in his dislocated finger broke the skin. Short on words, Redick tried to describe the injury after the game.

“I had to go check on him because it just looked bad,” Redick said after the game. “I mean, he was audibly screaming, and you knew he had done something. So, we’re obviously disappointed that happened. It’s just a freak injury.” LeBron James stood by his teammate after the game, calling him “as tough as nails.” And “If Vando was in pain, then something actually really happened, so it sucks.” But if there’s any saving grace, it’s his right hand, and he shoots with his left.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, finger dislocations “usually heal within a month or two.” However, this case required stitches as well, and considering it’s his finger, Vanderbilt will need to be pain-free before scrimmaging again. It could be the end of his postseason, regardless of whether the Purple and Gold make it past the Thunder or not. Now, it’s important to note that Vanderbilt’s game time did drop this season. Because of that frustration, the player confronted Redick in April when the coach called a timeout. It took a bunch of players to break up their disagreement, and Redick later clarified that they’ve moved on from it.

However, it is highly likely that Vanderbilt, who signed a four-year, $48 million extension from the 2024-25 season, has played his last game for LA. Trade rumors at the February deadline also included the 27-year-old in rumored moves away, citing he’s not in the pecking order anymore. Pivoting back to the present, though, Vanderbilt still accumulated game time and was a rotation piece. With Luka Doncic still sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain and not close to a return in this round, as Brian Windhorst mentioned earlier, LA is considered a significant underdog against the No. 1 seed.

Vando dropped two points and one rebound in six minutes before his premature exit in Game 1, which the Lakers went on to lose 108-90. The 27-year-old averaged 4.4 points and 4.5 rebounds this season, which doesn’t truly reflect his abilities. But it does signify that the forward has been in and out of the rotation. His defense and energy, which he is known for, have given the team a boost. Vando’s highest-scoring game came earlier in the season, when he posted 14 points and eight rebounds against the Trail Blazers in October. It shows that when he gets the opportunity to start a game, he can deliver.

But there have been stretches this season when the Lakers star was out of the rotation. Previously, the head coach was clear about the reasoning. “We’ve talked all season with him; he’s had some fantastic stretches for us,” said Redick. “Being disruptive within our defense, where he gets in trouble sometimes, is he gets in trouble gambling on defense”.

Tonight, though, Vanderbilt would’ve wanted to contribute more to the defense. But ended up hurting himself, and now we await the outcome of the injury. His team faces the Thunder for Game 2 on Thursday at Paycom Center. Expect Rui Hachimura to feature for longer on the court, while Adou Thiero may also see some extra minutes in Vanderbilt’s absence.