EL SEGUNDO — Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt’s rehabilitation from offseason surgery on his feet will continue for at least the next couple of weeks before another update on his status is expected.
The team said on Wednesday night that Vanderbilt’s ramp-up progression has been more gradual than originally expected, emphasizing that the 25-year-old forward hasn’t experienced a setback and that a long-term approach is being taken with his health.
Vanderbilt had surgery on both his feet in May after missing the final couple of months of the 2023-24 season.
He hasn’t played since suffering a sprained right midfoot injury in the Lakers’ Feb. 1 road win against the Boston Celtics.
General Manager Rob Pelinka said on Sept. 25 that Vanderbilt was also dealing with “sort of a lingering bone spur” on the back of his left foot, so Vanderbilt had surgery on both feet since he was already going to have surgery on the right foot that sidelined him.
Pelinka said on Media Day that there was “a lot of optimism” that Vanderbilt would be available when the Lakers kicked off the regular season against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 22, but that didn’t come to fruition.
Rui Hachimura has started all 10 games he’s been available this season.
In light of Hachimura missing the last four games with a sprained left ankle, rookie wing Dalton Knecht has emerged. Hachimura is listed as questionable for Thursday’s home game against the Orlando Magic, who played the Clippers on Wednesday night.
Vanderbilt is in the first season of a four-year, $48 million contract extension he signed with the Lakers last year.
He’s averaged 6.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals in 20 minutes per game in 55 regular-season games after the Lakers acquired Vanderbilt ahead of the 2023 trade deadline.
