The Lakers listed Jarred Vanderbilt as day-to-day with an undisclosed issue on Friday night's injury report, and he is not expected to play in Friday's preseason game against the Nuggets. The Lakers, who have not yet opened the 2026-27 regular season, will lean on their returning core without him on the floor.
What happened
The Lakers listed Jarred Vanderbilt as day-to-day on the team's injury report Friday night, with the issue described only as undisclosed. He had not been listed on an earlier report. Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reported that Vanderbilt is not expected to play in Friday's preseason game against the Nuggets. No further detail on the injury has been disclosed. The injury report lists an expected return date of Oct. 21.
What it means for the Lakers
Vanderbilt is out for Friday's preseason game against the Nuggets, which tips off at 10:30 PM ET on ESPN. The 2026-27 regular season has not started, and the Lakers are 0-0. Last season, Vanderbilt averaged 4.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 17.3 minutes across 65 games. Without him, the Lakers' rotation has leaned on Luka Doncic (35.8 minutes, 33.5 points), Austin Reaves (34.5 minutes, 23.3 points), LeBron James (33.2 minutes, 20.9 points), Marcus Smart (28.5 minutes, 9.3 points), Rui Hachimura (28.3 minutes, 11.5 points), Deandre Ayton (27.2 minutes, 12.5 points), Jake LaRavia (25.1 minutes, 8.2 points) and Luke Kennard (23.0 minutes, 9.0 points). There are no regular-season games yet to compare records with and without him.
What to watch
The Lakers' next injury report will show whether Vanderbilt's status changes. That report also lists Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr as day-to-day with undisclosed issues, and Collin Sexton as day-to-day with a right lower leg issue. Vanderbilt's own report lists an expected return date of Oct. 21, with the regular season still ahead on the 2026-27 calendar.
Is Jarred Vanderbilt playing vs Nuggets?
No. The Lakers listed him day-to-day with an undisclosed issue, and Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reported he is not expected to play in Friday's preseason game against the Nuggets.
When will Jarred Vanderbilt be back?
The injury report lists an expected return date of Oct. 21.