Jarred Vanderbilt doubled over in pain after the play in which he had attempted to block an Oklahoma City dunk.
Oklahoma City Thunder players had to shield their eyes after Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt suffered a gruesome injury during Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Vanderbilt, 27, dislocated his right pinkie finger after his hand got caught on the backboard during a play midway through the second quarter of the game at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, May 5.
The former Kentucky star went up to try to block Chet Holmgren’s dunk but instead came down, doubled over as he held his hand.
“Vanderbilt is in a great deal of discomfort,” NBC’s Mike Tirico said.
As the Houston native nearly collapsed to the ground, Thunder stars behind him, including Jalen Williams and Jared McCain, had to turn their backs after apparently seeing too much.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Vanderbilt required stitches because the bone in his dislocated pinkie finger broke the skin.
As medical staff covered his hand with a towel and walked him to the locker room, injured Lakers star Luka Dončić was seen wincing at the development.
Later, workers at the arena could hear the Lakers player’s screams from the locker room, The Athletic reported.
Vanderbilt’s injury further depletes a team that is currently without Dončić, who has been out for 11 games, battling a hamstring injury.
The superstar hasn’t played since April 2 after he strained his left hamstring in a game against the Thunder.
As for Vanderbilt, his teammates felt for the linchpin reserve.
“He’s tough as nails,” Lakers star LeBron James said after the game. “So if Vando was in pain, then something actually really happened. So, it sucks.”
Vanderbilt will be out for Game 2 on Thursday night and likely for the rest of the playoffs.
