The Lakers will begin a stretch of six straight road games with an unfamiliar spectacle – an almost entirely healthy roster.
The team will add a key rotation piece on Saturday with Jarred Vanderbilt officially cleared and off the injury report the team released Friday afternoon. If he plays, it will be his season debut.
“We’re not going to put him in any situation where he gets hurt,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said after Vanderbilt was cleared earlier this week. “And we don’t think that’s the case at the moment. Any player returning from an extended period, there will be a minutes restriction. We’re not going to overclude it.
Vanderbilt has not played since suffering a foot injury on February 1, 2024. Vanderbilt attempted to return to the playoffs last season, but he was unable to get back on the floor before the Lakers be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
During the offseason, he underwent surgeries on both of his feet, and although the team hoped he would be available at the start of the season, Vanderbilt said recovery took as long as he did. was waiting there.
“It’s been a process, but I mean, you know credit to the staff, the guys, everyone in the organization for being patient and allowing me to heal and go through this full recovery process,” he said. he declared on Wednesday. “But yeah, I feel like I’m in a good place now.”
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Vanderbilt is a versatile defensive player and strong rebounder, and when healthy, should help some of the Lakers’ problems in those areas.
Only veteran Christian Wood and rarely used second-year guard Jalen Hood Schifino are unavailable. Bronny James will not be with the Lakers at least for the start of their trip as he will be playing for the Lakers’ league team.
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.