Facing Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers looked outgunned and outmanned in Game 1. But help is on the way as Jared Vanderbilt continues his rehabilitation.
The fifth-year forward has not played since sustaining a midfoot sprain in his right foot against the Boston Celtics on Feb. 1.
but, Video from April 22nd Vanderbilt is trending back, especially without the boot, suggesting he is making further progress.
Vanderbilt will miss Game 2, but could return as early as Game 3, when the Lakers will be on their home floor for the first time this postseason.
He played in 29 games for Los Angeles this season, averaging 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.
His defensive value could prove invaluable in a series with two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. The sooner Vanderbilt returns, the sooner the Lakers will have a real chance to upset this Nuggets team.
Vanderbilt’s defensive impact
Although his stat line rarely jumps out from the box score, Vanderbilt is making money on the defensive end of his four-year, $48 million contract with Los Angeles.
According to Cleaning the Glass, on the 1,182 possessions the Lakers had forwards on the floor this season, they outscored opponents by 6.4 points per 100 possessions.
They’ve done that by holding opponents to 111.4 points per 100 possessions, which ranks in the 86th percentile among the entire NBA.
Against a Denver team that had five players score in double figures in Game 1, Vanderbilt’s impact (if he stays healthy) could give Los Angeles a much-needed boost.
According to broad-leaved seizure syndrome (@HPBasketball on Twitter) Historically, home teams that win Game 1 in the first round of the playoffs are 105-13. That means if they win, they have an 89% chance of going on to win the series.
It’s a tough battle for the Los Angeles Lakers. Jared Vanderbilt will definitely help.
D’Angelo Russell will also get a shot.
Russell struggles in Game 1
Lakers starting point guard D’Angelo Russell didn’t have ice in his veins in Game 1.
In 41 minutes, he scored 13 points on 6-of-20 field goals and 1-of-9 from 3.
That’s a far cry from Russell, who averaged 18 points, 6.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game during the regular season.
He told reporters after the game that he decided to take this performance as an opportunity.
“I mean, I can’t be mad,” Russell said. “I can’t remember the last time he hit 20 shots. I mean, to me he’s got 20 ‘good’ looks, not 20 ‘good’ and maybe of those he’s got 5-6 was questionable. I know what I’m capable of. So to be honest, I’m excited. I’m excited about that. ”
Russell noted that he took 20 or more shots in just 11 games during the regular season. Los Angeles went 7-4 in those games.
Head coach Dervin Ham chose to remember that version of the point guard who helped them reach the postseason.
There are no plans to bench Russell after his bad shooting night in Game 1.
“D-Lo is a big reason why we’re here in the first place,” Ham told reporters after the game. “I’m not going to bail on a player just because he missed his usual shot. The same shot was taken against New Orleans. [in the play-in tournament] And the other games he played a part in getting us here. So it just wasn’t his night. ”
He and the Los Angeles Lakers will look to bounce back in Game 2 without Jared Vanderbilt. But this will probably be the last time.
