Overview
- Los Angeles upgraded Vanderbilt from questionable with right-leg soreness to available for the matchup against Memphis.
- He played 20 minutes, hit a key late three to push the lead, and the Lakers closed out a 128–121 victory.
- LeBron James and Luka Dončić praised his multi-positional defense and confidence to take open corner threes.
- Since reentering the rotation, he is 11-of-21 from deep over eight games with at least one make in each.
- With Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Adou Thiero out, his minutes and energy have carried added weight alongside season averages near 19 minutes, 5.0 points and 5.5 rebounds.