Jarred Vanderbilt making ‘meaningful strides’ in rehab, to be re-evaluated in one week
The Lakers had even more good news on the rehab of Jarred Vanderbilt on Tuesday as the forward has made “meaningful strides” toward a return.
The news continues to be positive for Jarred Vanderbilt as he moves closer and closer to a return to the court for the Lakers. After head coach JJ Redick spoke earlier in the week about him making “real” progress, the Lakers provided an official update on Vando that is equally optimistic.
Official Lakers team update on Jarred Vanderbilt: pic.twitter.com/fBngQ5LdVt
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 8, 2025
Before Tuesday’s game against the Mavs, Redick provided more details about Vando’s recent on-court activity, which involved him playing 5-on-5 with coaches. He also gave a glimpse into how things will look once he returns to the court.
Redick said Vando’s minutes, when he does return, will be limited after missing nearly an entire year of game action. https://t.co/i9UN3Yyofr
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 7, 2025
All of this is good news for Vando and the Lakers. That the team will return back home after facing the Mavs and will remain in Los Angeles through the near entirety of the month is also a huge bonus.
While this is pure speculation, it doesn’t seem like it’d be a surprise if Vando returns during that upcoming homestand. At this point, it finally feels like when, not if, he returns.
Vando will be nearly a year out from his injury once he returns. The Lakers are clearly taking this all very slow at the 11th hour to ensure that, once he does return, there is no further setbacks.
But for a fanbase that has been hypothesizing about lineups with Vando in them for months and months on end — and especially so since the arrival of Dorian Finney-Smith — nearing the finish line at least feels great.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.