According to NBA insiders Adrian Wojnarowski and Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt will miss significant time with a right foot injury.
Vanderbilt hurt his foot last night against the Boston Celtics.
Vanderbilt is the Lakers’ best perimeter defender. The team’s defense will take a huge step back while he’s out.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jarred Vanderbilt, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers are 25-25 on the season. They are in ninth place in the Western Conference standings.
Vanderbilt, who signed a four-year, $48 million extension in September, is averaging 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.2 blocks in 29 games this season while shooting 51.8% from the field, 29.6% from beyond the arc and 66.7% from the free-throw line.
Vanderbilt, 24, has a plus-minus of +44 this season. Lakers fans have been calling for head coach Darvin Ham to start the lefty alongside D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but Ham continues to start Taurean Prince over Vanderbilt.
Rui Hachimura’s playing time will increase with Vanderbilt out. Prince will also likely see extended minutes, although some Lakers fans believe the veteran is already playing too much.
Vanderbilt, who is making $4.6 million this season, has career averages of 6.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz and Lakers. Los Angeles acquired Vando from Utah last season.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jarred Vanderbilt, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers face the New York Knicks tomorrow at Madison Square Garden. LeBron and Davis, who didn’t play against the Celtics, could return to the lineup.
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