Will Yaxel Lendeborg play in national championship game? Michigan injury update

Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg is dealing with multiple injuries heading into the national championship game against Connecticut on Monday, April 6.

The first-team All-American forward and Big Ten Player of the Year was held to 14 minutes in the Wolverines’ 91-73 dominant win over Arizona in the Final Four, as he dealt with ankle and knee injuries that were re-aggravated in the first half against the Wildcats.

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REQUIRED READING: Michigan overcomes Yaxel Lendeborg injury in Final Four demolition of Arizona

Lendeborg, a first-year transfer from UAB, was the most sought-after transfer portal recruit last season and he has proved it in 2025-26. The 6-foot-9 forward is averaging 15.1 points with 6.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game this season, and his points-per-game average has risen to 19 points per contest in the NCAA Tournament.

Lendeborg returned late in the second half of Michigan’s win, and will spend the next day preparing for his final collegiate game.

Here’s everything to know of Lendeborg’s injury before the national championship game:

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Will Yaxel Lendeborg play vs UConn in national championship game?

Lendeborg is dealing with a sprained MCL and a tweaked ankle, which he has been playing with since the Big Ten Conference Tournament. He said he will play against UConn in the national championship game, although likely not at 100%.

“I’m sure he’ll give it a go tomorrow, but that’d be entirely up to him and the medical staff,” Michigan coach Dusty May said April 5.

Lendeborg explained what happened on the play after the game on April 4, and also said he’s playing no matter what.

“I tried to go up for a dunk in between three people like a dummy,” Lendeborg told CBS Sports after the game. “I stepped on (Arizona forward Motiejus) Krivas’ foot, turned (and) felt the pain right away. My knee, at worst is like an MCL sprain. … My ankle got re-rolled, so that’s bothering me a little bit.

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“But I’m going to feel good, I’m going to do a lot to work on it and I’m playing on Monday for sure, no matter what.”

Yaxel Lendeborg injury update

Lendeborg exited the floor and entered the locker room…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/yaxel-lendeborg-play-national-championship-100547378.html

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Publish date : 2026-04-06 10:05:00

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