Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt is reportedly making strides in his recovery from a foot injury and is expected to return this season, as stated by The Athletic’s Jovan Buha. Buha mentioned on Saturday, March 9, on his YouTube channel, “The latest information I’ve received indicates that he is improving. It seems likely that he will make a comeback this season.”
However, whether Vanderbilt will return for the Lakers before the playoffs or play-in tournament remains uncertain.
Buha emphasized that the key factor is timing. He mentioned, “Whether it’s two weeks from now or four weeks from now makes a significant difference in terms of his return. Even if it’s during the final week of the regular season, it’s better than not returning at all.”
Buha also noted that returning from another lower extremity injury could pose challenges for Vanderbilt, particularly considering his reliance on lateral movement and athleticism, which are essential aspects of his defensive game.
“It’s challenging to integrate such a significant player with limited time left, especially considering that when he returned after missing the first 20 games or so, it was evident that he struggled to regain his rhythm and conditioning,” Buha elaborated. “So, recovering from another lower-body injury like this can be quite complex. We’ll have to wait and see how much he can contribute, but all the information I’ve received indicates positive progress.”
Vanderbilt sustained the injury during the Lakers’ impressive 114-105 victory over the Celtics in Boston, where LeBron James and Anthony Davis were absent, on February 1.
Buha also mentioned that the Lakers have not ruled out the possibility of season-ending surgery for Vanderbilt. When he’s healthy, Vanderbilt stands out as the Lakers’ most versatile defender.
