The LA Lakers squared off against their Western Conference rivals Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center on Saturday. The game marked the much-anticipated return of Jarred Vanderbilt, who had been sidelined for nearly a year due to a knee injury.Coach JJ Redick brought Vanderbilt off the bench in the second quarter and the defensive stalwart immediately made his presence felt. The 6-foot-8 forward displayed high energy on both ends of the court, hustling for offensive rebounds and relentlessly tracking Warriors players on defense.Known as a versatile "Swiss Army Knife" for the Lakers when healthy, Vanderbilt once again demonstrated his all-around impact during his first stint on the floor.By halftime, Jarred Vanderbilt had contributed a solid stat line of two points, two rebounds (including one offensive board) and two steals, shooting a perfect 1 of 1 from the field in six minutes.Vanderbilt sat out the third quarter as coach JJ Redick carefully managed his minutes. However, when the former Minnesota Timberwolves forward re-entered the game in the final period, he wasted no time making an impact with his relentless activity.Vanderbilt showcased why he is highly regarded as a defender, disrupting the Warriors' offense on multiple possessions. Although he missed a corner 3-pointer, his overall influence in the limited minutes of the fourth quarter was evident. In his return to action, Vanderbilt made a strong and impactful contribution, reinforcing his importance to the team.Jarred Vanderbilt concluded the game with two points, four rebounds (including two offensive boards), two assists and three steals. Vanderbilt shot 1 of 2 from the field, including 0 of 1 from beyond the arc in 12:27 minutes, finishing with a solid +6 plus/minus rating.Jarred Vanderbilt opens up on his comeback journeyJarred Vanderbilt opened up candidly after making his long-awaited return to the court, once again representing the Lakers. The versatile defender reflected on the past year spent in rehabilitation and expressed his joy at taking a significant step forward in his journey, savoring the moment of his comeback."It's been a long journey, a tough journey," Vanderbilt said after the game. "Almost been a full calendar year since I been able to play again. ... It's a big step in the right direction, and I'm excited. It's been a hell of a journey."The Lakers' next matchup is against the Charlotte Hornets and Vanderbilt will aim to build on his strong performance against the Warriors when he steps onto the court on Monday.