This year’s exhibition season had a good start for Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt. He was identified as a serious contender to earn the team’s third and final frontcourt starting spot, and in its first preseason game on Saturday, he grabbed seven rebounds while going 2-of-3 from 3-point range.
However, he missed Los Angeles’ next two contests with a heel ailment.
The Lakers will play their first game at Crypto.com Arena since Game 4 of last season’s Western Conference finals on Friday against the Golden State Warriors. Unfortunately for Vanderbilt, he will sit once again; he still has soreness in his heel.
Jarred Vanderbilt will miss his third straight preseason game tonight against GSW as the Lakers are "monitoring soreness" in Vanderbilt's left heel, sources told ESPN. There is no concern that Vando will not be ready in time for the season opener, however.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 13, 2023
The Purple and Gold will have two more exhibition contests after Friday. The team will face Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday before closing the preseason versus the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, Oct. 19.