Yaxel Lendeborg isn't going to be 100 percent on Monday night for the national championship game against UConn, but it does seem like he will be on the court.
After spraining an ankle and suffering an MCL sprain, Lendeborg got X-rays. They came back negative in terms of any damage. The ligaments are very strong." according to the team trainer, Chris Williams.
Michigan trainer Chris Williams told ESPN the MRI on Yaxel Lendeborg’s knee looks “very clean structurally, all the ligaments are very strong.” He says Lendeborg has a “low-grade” MCL sprain and a “small bone bruise” in his knee. He's "very optimistic" Lendeborg will play. pic.twitter.com/UKQcHExgk2
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 5, 2026
The issue with Yaxel will essentially be how much movement there is. There was chatter that he looked good walking around. That's an encouraging sign. It was also encouraging that Lendeborg wasn't on the pre-game injury report, although UConn's Solo Ball isn't on there either. He missed practice on Sunday, according to Dan Hurley.
Yaxel Lendeborg and Solo Ball not listed on the initial player availability report for Monday night. pic.twitter.com/JQJiBTTg5Y
— Dylan Burkhardt (@umhoops) April 6, 2026
May has said all along that it will be up to the doctors and Yaxel. If he's cleared and he feels ready to play, May said that he will play.
Can Yaxel Lendeborg be effective?
Yaxel said after the game that he was going to play. I believe him. That being said, how effective will he be?
In the second half against Arizona, Lendeborg was looking like Willis Reed, burying two 3-pointers on one leg to help extend the lead early in the second half. He only played 15 minutes total and was 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.
Even as a spot-up shooter, he would add something to the offense. Yaxel is shooting 56 percent from 3-point range (14 of 25) in the NCAA Tournament. He's made at least three triples in each of the past four games.
Lendeborg won't be 100 percent, but if he's like 75 or 80, that would be massive. His defense, his shooting, playmaking, and rebounding will all give Michigan basketball an easier path to victory against UConn.
Yaxel can take over a game in a way that probably no player on either team can, not in the way Lendeborg has this season, or most importantly in the NCAA Tournament.