Yaxel Lendeborg twisted his ankle on an awkward landing in the first half and briefly left the game before returning during Michigan’s 91-73 Final Four win over Arizona; Michigan now expects the yaxel lendeborg injury will not keep him out of Monday’s national championship against UConn after imaging showed no structural damage.
Dusty May on Lendeborg's Status
Dusty May told reporters on Monday that he expects Yaxel Lendeborg to play in the national championship game against UConn, saying, "He played the second half like a 38-year-old at the YMCA" and adding, "A really good 38-year-old at the YMCA." May’s expectation follows the team’s medical review and Lendeborg’s own statements about his availability.
Chris Williams Medical Notes
Chris Williams, Lendeborg’s trainer, said the forward has a low-grade MCL sprain and a small bone bruise and that Lendeborg’s knee "looks good structurally" and "all his ligaments are strong." The player underwent imaging after injuring his knee and ankle against Illinois and again after the ankle twist versus Arizona; those scans showed no structural damage, and Michigan’s medical staff will take part in the final clearance decision alongside Lendeborg.
Will Tschetter on Team Outlook
Will Tschetter, a Michigan reserve forward, framed the practical impact for Monday: "Yaxel at whatever percentage he’s at, 80%, 70%, 60%, we’ll take it," and added, "That dude, he’s brought us so far this year. I have no doubt he’ll give it his all on Monday night." Lendeborg, 23 years old and Michigan’s leading scorer at 15.1 points per game in his first season with the team, finished the Final Four game with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in 15 minutes and was 3-for-3 from three-point range against Arizona.
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Lendeborg has repeatedly asserted he intends to play: "I’m playing no matter what," and he added, "Unless I wake up and can’t even stand, I’m going to be in that game." That declaration sits beside the medical nuance Williams described—an MCL sprain and bone bruise that, while not structural, can affect mobility and recovery on short notice. Michigan’s coaching staff and trainers will have to weigh pain, stability and game-day function before final clearance.
Solo Ball of UConn is also managing an injury ahead of the title game; Solo Ball was seen in a walking boot and did not practice Sunday after contributing to UConn’s 71-62 Final Four win over Illinois. Michigan’s roster planning therefore balances Lendeborg’s likely availability against UConn’s own limited practice time for a key guard.
For fans and anyone finalizing travel or viewing plans, the concrete change today is simple: Michigan projects Lendeborg will be available for the title game after an MRI found no structural damage, but the final decision rests with Lendeborg and Michigan’s medical staff. Lendeborg’s teammates have already signaled they will accept him at reduced capacity if necessary; the question that remains is how much mobility he can expect to have when the tip-off arrives, a choice that will be made in the hours before the game rather than in statements now.
Back on the court and speaking for himself, Lendeborg closed the weekend with the same line teammates echoed in spirit: "I definitely felt like I did all this for nothing in the moment," and he reinforced his commitment with, "I’m playing no matter what." That resolve will be the final hinge between a clean MRI and whichever version of Lendeborg Michigan puts on the floor against UConn.
