The Los Angeles Lakers will be without some key pieces as they attempt to clinch a play-in/playoff spot in the coming weeks. According to NBA insider Bill Reiter, Christian Wood, Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent are all expected to miss the rest of the season.
Injuries have been a major concern for the Lakers over previous seasons and it looks as if the organization will once again be shorthanded as they attempt to make a deep playoff run. According to an ESPN report, Wood will have to undergo a procedure on his knee and will be sidelined for “several weeks.” Vincent has struggled to overcome a knee injury that has limited him to just 5 games this season. Vanderbilt, who Reiter stated had a slim chance of returning before the end of the season, has been out for over a month with a sprained foot.
Sources tell @CBSSports that Los Angeles Lakers players Christian Wood, Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent will miss the rest of the season. While Vanderbilt still could return, sources say, the expectation is that will not happen. @espn first reported the news on Wood.
— Bill Reiter (@sportsreiter) March 19, 2024
The loss of Christian Wood will be a major blow for the Lakers. Prior to his injury, the 6’8″ forward was averaging 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds over the 50 games he featured in.
Former Kentucky star Jarred Vanderbilt has played in 29 games this season averaging 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.
The news could not come at a worse time for a Lakers team that is barely holding on to a play-in spot as we approach the final stages of the season. Los Angeles lost a crucial game against Golden State Warriors last week, but still hold a slight advantage over their in-state rivals. Darvin Ham’s team currently sits in ninth place in the Western Conference standings, one game ahead of the Warriors and four games ahead of the Houston Rockets.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis will likely be called on to play a bigger role for the Lakers over the final weeks of the season.
