As Dave McMenamin and Sham Charania of ESPN first reported, Vando has experienced fluid in his knee during rehab, further pushing back his return date into 2025. This has been a significant setback in his recovery, which has already been lengthy since his foot injuries sustained last season.
Vanderbilt's injury saga began back in February when he left a game against the Celtics due to a foot injury. He underwent surgeries on each foot during the summer, and despite claiming he felt 'great' entering training camp, he hasn't participated in any practices this season.
Vanderbilt's absence is severely affecting the Lakers, as their defense has struggled against top offensive players. He was known for his elite perimeter defense, which the team is currently lacking.
The Lakers confirmed the update on Vanderbilt, stating his knee effusion altered the course of his return-to-play progression, with the team now targeting early January for his potential return.
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