Trending Now - Vanderbilt Injured in Pinky During Lakers' Game 1 Defeat

WHO:

Fox News - Lakers coach JJ Redick stated, "He's in as good of spirits as you can be in this situation. Obviously, frustrated with what happened."

Fox News - Lakers coach JJ Redick stated, "We’re obviously disappointed. But, that happened, and it’s just a freak injury."

Fox News - Thunder guard Jared McCain stated, "I went to go check on him because it just looked bad."

Fox News - Thunder guard Jared McCain stated, "I mean, it just — it looked pretty gruesome in my opinion."

Fox News - Thunder guard Jared McCain commented on Vanderbilt's injury, stating, "I don’t even know, to be honest, what I was looking at. It looked pretty bad, though. So prayers for him. Sending him love."

NY Post - Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt

RealGM Basketball - Lakers coach JJ Redick

WHAT:

RealGM Basketball - Vanderbilt suffered a full dislocation of his right pinkie during the Los Angeles Lakers' 108-90 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1.

Fox News - Vanderbilt only played six minutes in Game 1, scoring two points and grabbing one rebound.

Fox News - The Lakers lost to the Thunder with a score of 108-90.

Fox News - Vanderbilt suffered a gruesome finger injury during the team’s Game 1 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Fox News - Vanderbilt went up to block Thunder star Chet Holmgren’s dunk but missed, causing his pinkie to get caught on the backboard.

Fox News - Thunder guard Jared McCain stated, "I went to go check on him because it just looked bad."

Fox News - Lakers coach JJ Redick commented, "He was audibly screaming. Knew he had done something."

Fox News - Vanderbilt was in a ton of pain, and even the Thunder bench winced at Vanderbilt’s hand.

Fox News - Vanderbilt averaged 4.4 points per game during the regular season.

Fox News - Vanderbilt only played six minutes in Game 1, scoring two points and grabbing one rebound.

Fox News - Lakers coach JJ Redick described Vanderbilt's injury as a "freak injury" and noted, "He was audibly screaming. Knew he had done something."

Fox News - Vanderbilt only played six minutes in Game 1, scoring two points and grabbing one rebound.

Fox News - Lakers coach JJ Redick described Vanderbilt's injury as a "freak injury."

NY Post - Jarred Vanderbilt had an early exit from Game 1 against the Thunder due to a right finger injury.

RealGM Basketball - Vanderbilt suffered a full dislocation of his right pinkie during the Los Angeles Lakers' 108-90 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1.

RealGM Basketball - Vanderbilt averaged 3.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in the first round against the Rockets.

WHERE:

Fox News - The game took place at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

RealGM Basketball - The game took place during Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

WHEN:

Fox News - Game 2 is set for Thursday night.

NY Post - The injury occurred during Tuesday’s Game 1 against the Thunder.

RealGM Basketball - The Lakers lost to the Thunder with a score of 108-90.

WHY:

Fox News - The Lakers have been hit with the injury bug over the last month, losing Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic for the last few games of the regular season.

Fox News - Luka Doncic is still nursing a hamstring injury, which cost him the final five regular-season games and now Game 1 against Oklahoma City.

Fox News - The Lakers have been hit with the injury bug over the last month, losing Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic for the last few games of the regular season.

Fox News - The Lakers have been hit with the injury bug over the last month.

Fox News - The Lakers have been affected by injuries, losing Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic for the last few games of the regular season.

RealGM Basketball - Vanderbilt suffered the injury when he hit the backboard after attempting to block a Chet Holmgren dunk.

HOW:

Fox News - Vanderbilt screamed in pain, prompting the Lakers to call a timeout.

RealGM Basketball - Vanderbilt screamed in pain, prompting the Lakers to call a timeout.

Fox News - Coach JJ Redick commented, "He was audibly screaming. Knew he had done something."

Fox News - Vanderbilt suffered the injury when he attempted to block a dunk by Chet Holmgren and hit the backboard.

RealGM Basketball - Vanderbilt screamed in pain, prompting the Lakers to call a timeout.

RealGM Basketball - Coach JJ Redick commented, "He's in as good of spirits as you can be in this situation. Obviously, frustrated with what happened."

(UPDATED May 7, 2026 01:28 UTC)

In a tough start to the playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers faced a 108-90 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1, where Vanderbilt suffered a full dislocation of his right pinkie and only managed to play six minutes, scoring two points and grabbing one rebound. Lakers coach JJ Redick expressed that Vanderbilt is in as good spirits as possible given the situation, although he is understandably frustrated. Looking ahead, Game 2 is set for Thursday night as the Lakers continue to deal with injuries, having already lost Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic in recent games.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 23:13 UTC)

The Lakers faced a tough loss against the Thunder, finishing the game with a score of 108 to 90, and coach JJ Redick expressed disappointment over a freak injury that sidelined Vanderbilt after just six minutes of play, where he managed to score two points and grab one rebound. Vanderbilt's injury was particularly alarming, as he screamed in pain, leading the team to call a timeout. Looking ahead, Game 2 is set for Thursday night, but the Lakers will have to navigate Luka Doncic's ongoing hamstring issues, which have already impacted his participation in crucial games.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 19:23 UTC)

In a tough Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Vanderbilt suffered a gruesome finger injury while attempting to block a dunk from star player Chet Holmgren, resulting in his pinkie getting caught on the backboard. Thunder guard Jared McCain expressed concern for Vanderbilt, saying, "I went to go check on him because it just looked bad," while Lakers coach JJ Redick noted that Vanderbilt was "audibly screaming" and clearly in distress. As the Lakers prepare for Game 2 on Thursday night, they continue to deal with injuries, having already lost Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic for the final games of the regular season.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 17:26 UTC)

In a concerning moment during the game, Thunder guard Jared McCain checked on teammate Vanderbilt, who was in a lot of pain, prompting visible reactions from the Thunder bench. Vanderbilt, who averaged 4.4 points per game during the regular season, was heard audibly screaming, leading Coach JJ Redick to believe he had sustained a serious injury. As the Lakers continue to struggle with injuries, Game 2 is set for Thursday night.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 15:44 UTC)

In a concerning moment during Game 1, Lakers player Vanderbilt suffered a "freak injury" while trying to block a dunk by Chet Holmgren, leading to audible screams and a quick exit after just six minutes of play, where he scored two points and grabbed one rebound. Coach JJ Redick described the injury as particularly gruesome, and the Lakers have been struggling with injuries, having already lost Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic for the final games of the regular season. Game 2 is set for Thursday night, and fans are eager to see how the team will adapt without Vanderbilt.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 13:28 UTC)

Thunder guard Jared McCain expressed concern for Vanderbilt after his injury, saying it looked pretty bad and sending prayers and love his way. Vanderbilt had a tough start in Game 1, playing just six minutes and contributing two points and one rebound before the injury occurred, which Lakers coach JJ Redick called a "freak injury." Fans can look forward to Game 2, which is scheduled for Thursday night.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 07:47 UTC)

Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt had an early exit from Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a serious right finger injury, suffering a full dislocation of his right pinkie during the game, which ended in a 108-90 loss for Los Angeles. The injury occurred when Vanderbilt hit the backboard while attempting to block a dunk by Chet Holmgren, leading to a painful scream that prompted the Lakers to call a timeout. Coach JJ Redick noted that while Vanderbilt is understandably frustrated, he remains in as good of spirits as possible given the circumstances.