FILE – Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Vanderbilt (left) throws the ball next to referee Curtis Blair (right) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Jan. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Weick, File)
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Lakers forward Jared Vanderbilt experienced fluid buildup in his left knee while rehabbing an injury, delaying his return until at least January.
The Lakers released an updated prognosis Tuesday for Vanderbilt, who has not played since Feb. 1.
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Vanderbilt was working on getting back to playing condition after undergoing surgery on both legs during the offseason. The team announced two weeks ago that his recovery was taking longer than expected, but the Lakers announced he had not experienced any setbacks.
Read: NBA: Jared Vanderbilt signs 4-year contract extension with Lakers
Vanderbilt’s knee effusion is now a setback for a player who has had some injury issues since the Lakers acquired him in February 2023 as a defensive specialist and occasional wing scorer. It will be.
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Vanderbilt missed the first 20 games of last season with bursitis in his left heel and was healthy for just two months before a right ankle sprain ruled him out for the year.
Vanderbilt received a four-year, $48 million contract extension from the Lakers in September 2023. Since then, he has appeared in only 29 of 108 games with Los Angeles.
Vanderbilt was traded to Utah nearly two years ago and immediately became the Lakers’ starter, playing a key supporting role in their run to the Western Conference Finals. He was usually guarding the opposing wing scorer.
The Lakers (12-9) continue their road trip Wednesday at Miami.
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