The Los Angeles Lakers appear to be improving their play of late. They have won seven of their last nine games, which coincides with head coach Darvin Ham’s decision to move Austin Reaves to the bench and start Cam Reddish.
While that spurt also coincides with the team’s improved health, two new injuries have popped up. Reddish has missed the last two games with groin soreness, while Rui Hachimura will be out for at least a few more games due to a nasal fracture.
This whole time, the Lakers have been missing another important forward: Jarred Vanderbilt, who is arguably their best perimeter defender. Per Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, he is ramping up his basketball activity by playing 2-on-2 and 3-on-3.
Darvin Ham said Jarred Vanderbilt is ramping up in small segments of 2-on-2 and 3-on-3, which is a progression. He hasn’t played this season because of heel bursitis.
— Dan Woike is still here for some reason (@DanWoikeSports) November 25, 2023
Vanderbilt has been out since the exhibition season with left heel bursitis, and it makes sense the team has been taking it slow with him. That’s especially true since training camp and the preseason are so important for players to get into game shape and build chemistry.
The Lakers are on a four-game road trip that will end on Thursday with a contest against the upstart Oklahoma City Thunder. They will return home to play the Houston Rockets on Saturday, Dec. 2.
