EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt has experienced a fluid buildup in his left knee during his injury rehabilitation, delaying his return until at least January.
The Lakers announced the latest prognosis on Tuesday for Vanderbilt, who hasn't played since Feb. 1.
Vanderbilt was working back into playing shape after undergoing procedures on both feet during the offseason. The team announced two weeks ago that his recovery was taking longer than anticipated, but the Lakers said he hadn't undergone a setback.
The effusion in Vanderbilt's knee now qualifies as a setback for a player who has had several injury problems since the Lakers acquired him in February 2023 as a defensive specialist and occasional wing scorer.
Vanderbilt missed the first 20 games of last season with bursitis in his left heel, and he stayed healthy for only two months before being ruled out for the year with a right foot sprain.
Vanderbilt got a four-year, $48 million contract extension from the Lakers in September 2023. He has appeared in only 29 of Los Angeles' 108 games since then.
Vanderbilt became a starter for the Lakers immediately after his arrival in a trade with Utah nearly two years ago, playing a key supporting role in their run to the Western Conference finals. He usually guarded their opponents' top wing scorer.
The Lakers (12-9) continue their road trip Wednesday in Miami.
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FILE - Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, left, throws in the ball next to referee Curtis Blair, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Jan. 29, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke, file)
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — England opted to keep Ollie Pope as its stand-in wicketkeeper for the second test against New Zealand starting Thursday.
After Jordan Cox broke his thumb ahead of the series opener in Christchurch last week, Ollie Robinson was called up as wicketkeeping cover and was in contention to make his first international appearance in the second test at Wellington’s Basin Reserve.
However, England kept faith with the same team that won by eight wickets on the fourth afternoon of the first test at Hagley Oval, meaning Pope retained the gloves and Jacob Bethell stayed at No. 3.
Pope was solid behind the stumps and hit 77 after moving down to No. 6 in the batting order. Bethell was also impressive on his debut, hitting 50 not out in the second innings.
“They always say when you don’t notice a keeper, he’s done a good job and Ollie certainly did that," England fast bowler Chris Woakes said. "To step up at short notice like that and do the job he did was fantastic.
“For him to score runs just shows his character, putting his hand up for the team without any fuss and cracking on."
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope, Ben Stokes (captain), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
New Zealand's Glenn Phillips is airborne as he makes his ground while England's Ollie Pope attempts a run out during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Chris Symes/Photosport via AP)
England's Ollie Pope bats during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (John Davidson/Photosport via AP)
