Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt sustained a full dislocation of his right pinkie during Tuesday’s 108-90 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals series, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Vanderbilt was injured when he attempted to block a dunk by Thunder center Chet Holmgren. Vanderbilt swiped at Holmgren behind the play and hit his finger on the corner of the backboard. Holmgren made the dunk to put the Thunder up 48-39 with 5:57 left in the second quarter.
Vanderbilt screamed in pain and was bent over while holding his hand, prompting the Lakers to call a timeout. Several players on the Thunder bench immediately looked away at the sight of the injury.
Vanderbilt needed stitches postgame because the bone in his dislocated pinkie finger broke skin, sources said.