Michigan Coach Provides Injury Update on Yaxel Lendeborg Ahead of NCAA Championship Against UConn

Michigan coach Dusty May provided an update on the injury status of forward Yaxel Lendeborg ahead of the team's NCAA men's basketball national championship game against UConn. The game is scheduled for Monday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Indianapolis. Lendeborg sustained injuries to his knee and ankle during the first half of Michigan's Final Four victory over Arizona on Saturday.

Lendeborg injured himself after attempting a dunk and landing on a teammate's foot. He left the game for evaluation and received treatment in the locker room, including ice and tape on his ankle. He returned to the court in the second half and played through the injury during Michigan's 79-72 win over Arizona.

In the Arizona game, Lendeborg played 14 minutes, scoring 11 points, grabbing three rebounds, recording one assist, and one steal. Postgame comments from Lendeborg and May indicated that his decision to return was his own. Michigan won the game despite his limited participation early on.

Status May stated that Lendeborg underwent an MRI following the Arizona game, which showed no structural damage to his knee or ankle, according to ESPN reporter Pete Thamel. May noted that Lendeborg's participation in the championship game would depend on his own decision and input from the team's medical staff.

“I’m sure he’ll give it a go tomorrow. He played the second half like a 38-year-old at the YMCA. A really good 38-year-old at the YMCA.”

Early indications suggest Lendeborg plans to play, though the full extent of his contribution remains uncertain.

UConn, the No. 2 seed from the East Region, also faces injury challenges. Starting point guard Silas DeMary Jr. missed the team's opening-round game but has returned to the lineup. Forward Solo Ball sustained an ankle sprain during UConn's win over Illinois in the Elite Eight and was seen in a walking boot afterward.

UConn coach Dan Hurley said Ball was scheduled for an MRI on Easter Sunday and would not practice that day. Both teams have navigated injuries through the tournament, with Michigan demonstrating depth in the Final Four and UConn advancing as the defending national champion.

The championship game will determine the 2024 NCAA Division I men's basketball title. Michigan, a No. 1 seed from the West Region, reached the final after defeating Purdue in the semifinals earlier in the tournament. The outcome could affect player recoveries, team rosters for future seasons, and recruiting for both programs.