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Jarred Vanderbilt Injury Status for Lakers vs Blazers

The Lakers forward is a late addition to his team's injury report.

Courtney Tate

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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The Los Angeles Lakers will face off against the Portland Trail Blazers in a crucial matchup as they fight to maintain their standing in the Western Conference.

Coming off a surprising 100-97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night, the Lakers are facing questions about the trade that sent Anthony Davis away in exchange for Luka Dončić.

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The deal, meant to bolster the Lakers' championship hopes, has left many wondering if it was the right move given the team's current struggles.

Sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference, just one game behind the fourth-place Houston Rockets, the Lakers cannot afford any more losses with only 29 games remaining in the regular season.

Injuries are likely to have a significant impact on the upcoming game.

The Lakers will be without Dončić, who is sidelined due to a lingering calf strain.

His absence will be felt especially with the team’s continued reliance on him for scoring and playmaking.

However, the absence of Jarred Vanderbilt may be even more disruptive in this matchup.

Vanderbilt, who was a late scratch for the game, plays a crucial role in the Lakers’ frontcourt. Though his numbers—3.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game—may not jump off the stat sheet, his value lies in his physicality, defense, and versatility.

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Vanderbilt’s presence allows the Lakers to be more aggressive defensively, and his rebounding helps protect the rim, which is especially important with Davis no longer in the picture.

Without him, the Lakers’ frontcourt depth will be further tested, forcing them to rely more heavily on James and whatever contributions they can get from other players.

With Anthony Davis’ departure still leaving a gap, Vanderbilt’s role in the frontcourt has never been more vital, particularly in a matchup against the Trail Blazers, who can create mismatches with their young talent.

To add more uncertainty, James is listed as questionable for the game due to a lingering foot injury that has kept him day-to-day for weeks. James' availability is critical to the Lakers’ chances, as his leadership, scoring, and playmaking remain vital to the team’s success.

In such a pivotal moment of the season, the Lakers will need all hands on deck to stay in playoff contention, and getting Vanderbilt back on the floor, along with James’ potential return, could be the difference between a crucial win and another damaging loss.

More Lakers:

It's Time for Lakers to Panic About Luka Doncic's Slow Start

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For more Lakers notes, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.

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Courtney Tate
COURTNEY TATE

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