That's not how you want to start a playoff series.
Videos by FanBuzz
Jarred Vanderbilt went down with a brutal finger injury during the Los Angeles Lakers' 108-90 Game 1 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and it looked every bit as painful as it sounds.
The play happened in the second quarter.
Vanderbilt tried to contest a dunk by Chet Holmgren, swiping from behind. In the process, his right pinkie slammed into the corner of the backboard, per ESPN. Holmgren finished the dunk. Vanderbilt immediately knew something was wrong.
He screamed, bent over, and grabbed his hand.
Players nearby could tell it wasn't minor. Some on the Thunder bench reportedly looked away as trainers rushed in.
And yeah, it was serious.
Vanderbilt suffered a full dislocation of the finger, and the bone actually broke through the skin, requiring stitches after the game. That's about as rough as it gets for a hand injury.
Lakers coach JJ Redick didn't sugarcoat it.
"I had to go check on him because it just looked bad," he told NBA reporters. "He was audibly screaming."
LeBron James added what everyone was thinking: "He's tough as nails. If Vando was in pain, then something actually really happened."
Vanderbilt was ruled out at halftime and didn't return. He stayed at the arena, though, with his finger wrapped up and clearly dealing with the aftermath.
It's a tough break for a player who brings energy and defense off the bench. He logged just six minutes before exiting, finishing with two points and one rebound.
Now the question shifts to what comes next.
The Lakers are already down one game in the series. Losing Vanderbilt, even in a limited role, doesn't make things any easier.
Just one of those moments you can't really plan for. And one the Lakers are already feeling.
