Jalen Reed injury update: LSU announces major news on status, timeline to return

LSU forward Jalen Reed will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season due to an achilles injury. He suffered the injury in the second of LSU’s 71-62 win over Drake on Nov. 28.

“Jalen Reed suffered a season-ending (left) Achilles tendon injury during last Friday night’s game versus Drake. He underwent successful surgery this morning in Baton Rouge,” LSU head coach Matt McMahon wrote in a statement. “We are absolutely heartbroken and devastated for Jalen. His journey back to the court has been inspiring to everyone in our program.

“Jalen is a team captain and leader as well as a soon to be LSU Graduate. He represents everything that is great about college athletics. While I cannot convey the depth of my disappointment for Jalen, I remain in admiration of his spirit and mental toughness. We look forward to supporting him in his recovery and cannot wait to see him back on the basketball court.”

In six games for LSU this season, Reed averaged 9.5 points and 5.7 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per game, while shooting 57.1% from the field. Reed is in his fourth season at LSU.

Reed missed most of the 2023-24 campaign, as well, after tearing his ACL early in the season. It’s a brutal setback for 6-foot-10 standout.

LSU is off to a hot start this season, currently boasting a 7-0 record. Most recently, the Tigers routed DePaul in a 96-63 blowout win.

Mississippi State transfer forward Mike Nwoko is LSU’s leading scorer this season, averaging 17.4 points per outing. McMahon is elated to the 6-foot-10 star playing so well.

“Mike has been fantastic on the offensive end,” McMahon said. “I’ve been really pleased with his skill level. He’s more skilled down in the post than we had anticipated coming in. He’s worked hard in the player development program.

“You see him scoring jump hooks with each hand. I think he’s using his physicality in great fashion. Great job by (guards Dedan Thomas Jr. and Max Mackinnon) getting him the ball, and that presence in the paint allows us to get to the free-throw line.”

LSU will have no choice but to push on without Jalen Reed. On Wednesday, the Tigers will face one of their toughest tests yet as they square off against Boston College at 7:15 p.m. ET. The game will air live on the ACC Network.