Jarred Vanderbilt ‘progressing in a very positive direction,’ will miss Opening Night
JJ Redick provided an update on Jarred Vanderbilt’s rehab from his offseason surgery, noting that things are progressing but he will not be available to start the season.
Jarred Vanderbilt’s lack of availability has been a real thorn in the Lakers side for most of 2024. Dating back to February, Vando has been out with a foot sprain and, despite offseason surgery, he has yet to make his debut for the 2024-25 season, either.
The good news is that things are trending in the right direction and his return is coming sooner than later. On Thursday afternoon, Vanderbilt was seen taking part in shooting drills after the team’s shootaround. Prior to the team’s game Thursday evening, head coach JJ Redick provided an update on Vando.
“His rehab and return to play is going well and is progressing in a very positive direction,” Redick said. “It’s very likely we won’t have an update for the next two weeks. So, he will not be ready to start the regular season. We are taking a sort of long-term approach. Both the coaching, medical staff and Jarred himself were on board. It’s a long season. We want to make sure he’s right. We’ll probably have an update for you guys in two weeks.”
Every update in the coming weeks is going to be a little bit frustrating because it’s painted in the light of not having surgery immediately after the injury last season that would likely have him back on the court by now.
However, considering that he came back last season early and admitted to playing through pain for multiple weeks, it is probably in the best interest of everyone to bring him along slowly. If the end result of all this is that he misses the first couple of weeks of the regular season but is healthy when he’s back, then that is the way to go.
An update in two weeks would mean he’s going to miss at least the first four games of the season. In the grand scheme of things, getting him healthy and on the court should be the top priority and it appears the Lakers feel the same.
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