Key Player Ruled OUT for Lakers vs. Nuggets

The Los Angeles Lakers have released their injury report for opening night vs. the Denver Nuggets, and versatile forward Jarred Vanderbilt has been ruled out with a heel injury. Vanderbilt was one of the big reasons Los Angeles was able to turn their season around last year, as his arrival at the trade deadline gave them a new defensive dynamic that they had been missing.

Signed to an extension this summer, Vanderbilt should be in Los Angeles as one of their key role players for years to come. Starting his career with the Nuggets, Vanderbilt played very little in Denver before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves where he began coming into his own as an NBA player.

The absence of Vanderbilt is a big one, because his defensive versatility allows the Lakers to do a lot of different things on that end. While Vanderbilt's lack of an outside shot can complicate his fit on offense at times, his ability to guard on the perimeter and switch defensively makes him a very valuable piece to this Lakers team.

There has been a lot of back and forth between the Nuggets and Lakers since last season's Western Conference Finals, so there will be a lot of eyes on this opening night game. Once the Nuggets receive their championship rings, it will be time for the new season to start.

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