Yaxel Lendeborg injures ankle on a drive to the basket (0:19)
Yaxel Lendeborg has to exit the game for Michigan briefly after injuring an ankle. (0:19)
INDIANAPOLIS — Michigan coach Dusty May said that he expects star forward Yaxel Lendeborg to play in the national title game against UConn on Monday night.
“I’m sure he’ll give it a go tomorrow,” May said.
Lendeborg sprained his left MCL and left ankle in the first half against Arizona on Saturday night. He played just 14 minutes, spending much of the first half getting treated in the locker room. May said the decision will ultimately be up to Lendeborg and the Michigan medical staff, which has indicated confidence that he’ll be available.
He did return to the court to play nine minutes in the second half, although he appeared ginger and clearly was limited.
“He played the second half like a 38-year old at the YMCA,” May said. “And a really good 38-year-old at the YMCA.”
That included draining a pair of second-half 3-pointers, as Lendeborg finished with 11 points on just four shots.
Lendeborg made clear on Saturday night that he would do everything possible to play. On Saturday night, Michigan trainer Chris Williams told ESPN that there will be intense rehab to get Lendeborg ready on Monday night.
“He might move into my room,” Williams told ESPN. “You’re laughing, but he might move into my room. We have two beds in there, so we might have to find another room for my wife and my son.”
