Lakers’ rivals turn around in horror as star’s brutal injury sees bone break skin in NBA playoff clash

The Los Angeles Lakers endured a painful 108-90 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Forward Jarred Vanderbilt suffered a full dislocation of his right pinkie that left the Thunder bench reeling.

Getty

With OKC up 46-39 in the second quarter, Vanderbilt attempted to block a Chet Holmgren dunk and hit his finger on the backboard.

To add insult to injury, the center slammed it home anyway as his team took a lead in Western Conference semifinals series.

Vanderbilt screamed out and bent over while reaching for his hand.

The Thunder bench had courtside seats for the incident and their stunned reactions said it all.

Several turned round in shock, while injured star Jalen Williams put his hands to his mouth stunned.

Vanderbilt needed stitches because the bone broke the skin, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.

“I had to go check on him because it just looked bad,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said after walking the length of the court to check on his star. “I mean, he was audibly screaming, and you knew he had done something.

“So, we’re obviously disappointed that happened. It’s just a freak injury.

“He’s in as good of spirits as you can be in this situation. Obviously, frustrated with what happened.”

LeBron James said his teammate, who didn’t leave the arena during the game, is a tough customer.

NBC / Peacock

NBC / Peacock

“He’s tough as nails,” he said. “If Vando was in pain, then something actually really happened. So, it sucks.”

Vanderbilt finished with two points and one rebound in six minutes as King James led the Lakers with 27 points off 12-of-17 shooting.

Holmgren put up a team-high 24 points and also had 12 rebounds.

Luka Doncic injury leaves Lakers hamstrung

Luka Doncic‘s absence with a hamstring injury is clearly a massive blow for the Lakers.

“When you play against the world champions and [miss] having a guy that averages 34 [points], eight [rebounds], and nine [assists], and is that special, that’s [a major piece missing],” James said after the game.

Doncic is expected to miss Game 2 Thursday as he has not returned to running or full contact work per the latest update on his health.

NBA's Greatest

Greatest NBA players in the world right now – from Luka Doncic to Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama

Best players in NBA history to never win a championship – James Harden and Carmelo Anthony to Allen Iverson and Karl Malone

10 richest owners in the NBA – family empires, media moguls and investment gurus

Michael Jordan’s top 10 scoring games – counting down MJ’s most extraordinary totals

Los Angeles needs a playmaker to step up after turning the ball over 18 times.

If one cannot be found, the series could be over before Doncic takes the court.

Stay up to date with the NBA across all our talkSPORT platforms – subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest news, opinion, exclusive interviews and our daily unfiltered, unscripted show ‘The S* Word, from 8am ET