LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson Sidelined for SEC Tournament: What It Means for the Tigers
In a surprising turn of events, LSU fans received some disappointing news this week. The Tigers’ standout guard, Flau’jae Johnson, will be missing the SEC tournament, as confirmed by Tigers coach Kim Mulkey on the team’s radio station this past Sunday. This announcement has certainly stirred up conversations among fans and analysts alike, as Johnson has been a pivotal player for the team this season.
Johnson has been dealing with shin inflammation since LSU’s loss to Texas on February 16, according to Mulkey. This injury has already caused her to miss the regular-season finale against Ole Miss, and now the team is hopeful that she will be ready to return by the start of the NCAA tournament. “I know she’s trying to mask the pain she’s in,” Mulkey shared during the pregame show. “It’s not a stress fracture or anything like that. It’s just rest. We’ll get that inflammation down, and we’ll see the Flau’jae that we need to see when we start playoffs.”
For those keeping track, Sunday’s game was only the second time Johnson has missed a contest in her college career, which speaks volumes about her resilience and dedication to the game. As a junior, she is leading LSU in scoring this season with an impressive 18.9 points per game, which is the sixth-best average in the SEC, on 46.5% shooting. Her absence will undoubtedly be felt by the team as they head into the tournament.
In her last appearance, Johnson scored a season-low six points, which prompted Mulkey and her staff to prioritize her recovery. “I don’t think Flau’jae’s best basketball has happened in the last couple of weeks,” Mulkey noted. “So let’s rest her. Why put her through that, because it’s just not worth it.”
The SEC tournament is set to kick off on Wednesday in Greenville, South Carolina, and LSU will have to navigate the competition without one of their key players. This situation raises several questions and points of discussion:
- How will LSU adjust their strategy without Johnson on the court?
- Which players will step up to fill the scoring gap left by Johnson’s absence?
- What impact will this have on LSU’s seeding and performance in the NCAA tournament?
As the Tigers prepare for the SEC tournament, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how the team adapts to this challenge. The hope is that Johnson will be back in action soon, ready to contribute to LSU’s postseason success. Until then, the team will need to rally together and find new ways to secure victories without their leading scorer.
Stay tuned for more updates on Johnson’s recovery and LSU’s performance in the upcoming tournaments. The road ahead may be challenging, but the Tigers have shown resilience before, and they will undoubtedly give it their all in the games to come.
Originally Written by: Kendra Andrews
