Michigan may need to soldier on without Yaxel Lendeborg for the rest of Saturday’s Final Four clash against Arizona.
Lendeborg hurt his ankle on a drive midway through the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. The Wolverines star had an awkward fall as he got fouled while trying to slither past several Wildcat defenders. He was able to take his free throws before gingerly walking toward the locker room moments later.
Yaxel Lendeborg is in the locker room after suffering an apparent ankle injury
— Barstool Gambling (@stoolgambling) April 5, 2026
He stayed on the court to shoot his free throws pic.twitter.com/OjxM4CBm7G
Lendeborg returned to the bench after receiving treatment but ended up back in the locker room as the discomfort persisted.
Yaxel Lendeborg heads back to the locker room with 4:35 to play in the first half pic.twitter.com/tZJdogOEFx
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) April 5, 2026
Lendeborg twisted the same ankle he previously hurt last month during the Big Ten Tournament. According to sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson, Michigan will “reevaluate” him at halftime and “see if he can return for the second half.”
Michigan looked more than fine without its best player on the floor in the first half, holding the Huskies to 12/32 shooting for a 48-32 Wolverines lead at the break.
Wolfson later revealed that Lendeborg was dealing with an MCL sprain on top of the ankle injury, but it didn’t stop him from returning. He was seen wearing a left knee brace as he rejoined his team on the floor after halftime.
If Michigan does advance to the national title game, there will be obvious concern about Lendeborg’s left leg heading into a potential matchup against UConn. It’s not going to feel good in the morning once the adrenaline wears off.
Lendeborg has been one of the NCAA Tournament’s best players throughout Michigan’s run to the Final Four. Through the Wolverines’ first four March Madness wins, the senior has averaged 21.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.
