Lakers make decisions on Jarred Vanderbilt, Luke Kennard for Game 2

The Los Angeles Lakers face Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday at Paycom Center, following a 108-90 loss in Game 1. The team is dealing with key injuries, as forward Jarred Vanderbilt will miss the game after dislocating a finger during Tuesday’s matchup. Meanwhile, sharpshooting guard Luke Kennard, who was listed as questionable with neck soreness, will be available to play. With Luka Doncic still out due to a hamstring strain, coach JJ Redick confirmed the Lakers will start at least nine players for Thursday’s game. The series shifts back to Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles for Game 3 on Saturday evening and Game 4 on Monday night. The Lakers’ injury concerns extend beyond the lineup, as the absence of Doncic and Vanderbilt adds pressure on the remaining roster to maintain competitiveness. The team will need to address these challenges to avoid falling further behind in the best-of-seven series. Thursday’s game is not a must-win for the Lakers, but a victory would improve their chances of staying in contention. The Thunder’s strong performance in Game 1 has set a high bar for Los Angeles to overcome, especially with their reduced depth.