The Los Angeles Lakers managed to earn their first win of the season on Thursday, but it wasn’t exactly easy. Facing the Phoenix Suns, they had to overcome 39 points from Kevin Durant and a 12-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter to be victorious.
In the fourth quarter, Los Angeles finally put the clamps on Durant thanks to some high-level defense from Anthony Davis and, of all people, Christian Wood. However, there was someone missing from that defensive equation: Jarred Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt, who emerged as the Lakers’ defensive ace down the stretch of last season, has been out since early in the preseason with a left heel ailment. He was re-evaluated on Thursday, and it was determined he will have to miss another two weeks, at least.
Jarred Vanderbilt will be re-evaluated in two weeks, the Lakers say. Still dealing with bursitis in his left heel.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 27, 2023
According to Dave McMenamin, however, the Lakers did say he is improving.
Vanderbilt was re-examined on Thursday and the team doctors determined his condition is “improving,” according to the Lakers. https://t.co/zgixGilZE4
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 27, 2023
Vanderbilt may sometimes be an offensive liability, but his defensive effectiveness, versatility and energy were valuable for L.A. when it made its run to the Western Conference finals during the spring of 2023.
For now, newcomer Taurean Prince, who was red-hot in the team’s season opener against the Denver Nuggets but went scoreless on Thursday, is the starter at small forward.