Down three games to one in their first-round series with the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers are getting much-needed reinforcements with the return of Jarred Vanderbilt.
The five-year forward hasn’t played since February 1, when he suffered a right mid-foot sprain in a win over the Boston Celtics.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin was first with reports of Vanderbilt being upgraded to available.
Jarred Vanderbilt is available for Game 5, the Lakers announce.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 30, 2024
Vanderbilt averaged 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game in his 29 games for Los Angeles this season.
If healthy, his impact on the defensive end should prove a difference maker against a high-powered Nuggets offense.
It will take that and more if the Lakers are going to stave off elimination in Game 5.
This story will be updated.
