Lakers' Jarred Vanderbilt aims to return by Game 3

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who has been out of action since Feb. 1 due to a right midfoot sprain, is eyeing a return in Game 3 of the Lakers' first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets. This update comes from a source familiar with Vanderbilt's recovery process, as reported by ESPN. During the past two weeks, Vanderbilt has progressively increased the intensity of his on-court workouts, culminating in a particularly rigorous session on Monday morning at Ball Arena.

The decision on Vanderbilt's return will hinge on how his body reacts in the days leading up to Thursday's Game 3 in Los Angeles. As of now, both Vanderbilt and Lakers backup center Christian Wood, who has been out since Feb. 14 following knee surgery in March, have not yet been cleared to play. Nevertheless, the Lakers are optimistic about the potential return of both players for the upcoming game against Denver.

Prior to his injury, the 25-year-old Vanderbilt was making significant contributions on offense, showcasing the best form of his career. In his last eight games before the injury, he averaged 10.5 points on 66 percent shooting, along with 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. His performance peaked in the six games leading up to his injury, where he scored an average of 11.3 points per game, marking the highest scoring average over such a span in his six-year NBA career, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Source ESPN: Source: Lakers' Jarred Vanderbilt targeting Game 3 return
Source RealGM: Jarred Vanderbilt Targets Game 3 Return