The Lakers have announced that Christian Wood, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent won’t be playing for the rest of the season.
Wood is having surgery on his knee and will need several weeks to recover, according to ESPN.
Tough Times for L.A.
Losing these three players is a big blow to the Lakers, especially if they make it to the play-in games and playoffs.
With only 13 games left in the regular season, the Lakers are fighting for a playoff spot, currently holding the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference.
Injury Updates
Vincent has been out since October with a knee injury and recently started doing non-contact training, but his return was uncertain.
Vanderbilt has been dealing with a foot injury since February, and although there was hope he’d return this season, it’s now confirmed he won’t.
According to @sportsreiter, Christian Wood, Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent are expected to miss the rest of the season pic.twitter.com/TCR2RVTmJZ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 19, 2024
Impact on the Team
Losing Vanderbilt hurts the most as he’s been a key defender for the Lakers. Since he’s been out, the team’s defense has struggled.
Wood’s absence also affects the team’s depth, although his playing time has decreased this season. With these players out, others like Jaxson Hayes might see more playing time.
Looking Ahead
While the news isn’t official yet, the Lakers will face challenges without these players, especially as they aim for a postseason spot through the play-in games.
