Lakers News: Jarred Vanderbilt Gets High Praise After Huge Performance Against Dallas

Is he the actual MVP of LA's flurry of trades?

New Los Angeles Lakers starting power forward Jarred Vanderbilt turned in his highest-scoring game of his brief LA tenure thus far, while also enjoying a superlative defensive performance against Dallas Mavericks great Luka Doncic, in a 111-108 comeback victory last night at American Airlines Arena. 

The 6'9" big man scored 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, grabbed 17 rebounds, and swiped four steals.

LA head coach Darvin Ham spoke after the game about Vanderbilt's excellent performance.

Darvin Ham gives an update on LeBron's ankle and more only on @SpectrumSN! pic.twitter.com/F6KtxE5fi9

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 27, 2023

“His defense on Luka, his activity, his energy, him getting us extra activity, him getting us extra possessions, him getting big defensive rebounds,” Darvin Ham said, “that’s a tall task to try to manage that matchup, as skilled as Luka is, one of the top five players in our league, easily, hands down. He was up for the challenge to try and make it as difficult as possible for [Doncic]. That's why he's here: to create energy and havoc with his efforts. The size and athleticism, his quickness, was on full display”

Per Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet, star Los Angeles center Anthony Davis also raved about Vanderbilt's contributions in the victory.

“It gives us a lot more freedom on the defensive end,” Davis reflected of the Vanderbilt roster wrinkle.

Vanderbilt himself took to Twitter following the win, LA's third straight and fourth across the five games it has had Vanderbilt available:

Great team win! Let’s keep it rolling!💛💜 pic.twitter.com/SzKz3tn4n8

— Jarred Vanderbilt (@JVando) February 27, 2023

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