Report: Jarred Vanderbilt Could Return to Lakers in Early April
According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Los Angeles Lakers are aiming to have Jarred Vanderbilt back on the court for the team in early April. Buha mentioned that while there’s no specific date yet, the Lakers are targeting the first week to week and a half of April for Vanderbilt’s return, hoping to get him playing in at least three or four games before the regular season ends on April 14th. Buha noted that Vanderbilt has been traveling with the team, indicating positive progress towards his comeback.
Vanderbilt has been sidelined for most of the 2023-24 season due to a foot injury suffered during a game against the Boston Celtics on February 1st. Despite his limited appearances, he has shown defensive prowess, recording three steals in just over 16 minutes of play in that game.
The Lakers have struggled defensively recently, allowing an average of 119.1 points per game in March, which ranks among the highest in the NBA during that period. Given Vanderbilt’s defensive abilities, his return could significantly bolster the team’s performance on that end of the floor.
Despite defensive challenges, the Lakers have been on a winning streak, claiming victory in their last five games. Their upcoming game against the Indiana Pacers presents another opportunity to extend their streak.
