Kim Mulkey reveals reason LSU guard Kailyn Gilbert was absent Thursday night

LSU guard Kailyn Gilbert was absent from Thursday night’s game against Alcorn State due to a family issue, Tigers coach Kim Mulkey said. She did not discuss specifics, but she asked for prayers as Gilbert attends to the situation.

Gilbert has been a contributor off the bench to start the 2025-26 season. Through five games, she’s averaging 5.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists. Last time out against Tulane, she had five points, two rebounds and two assists in seven minutes of action.

However, as LSU took down Alcorn 112-49 on Thursday, Gilbert was not there. Mulkey said it was due to a family situation that required her attention.

“KG – I’m gonna try not to get emotional – has been dealing with family issues for a long time,” Mulkey said. “A 22-year-old should not have to be dealing with what she’s been dealing with. She needs to help somebody in her family. She’s so mature. We just ask everybody to pray for her because she always does the right thing.”

Kailyn Gilbert began her college career at Arizona in 2022 and turned in her biggest season as a sophomore in 2023-24. That year, she averaged 15.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals across 28.3 minutes per game.

After that season, Gilbert entered the transfer portal and committed to LSU. She had a role off the bench last year, playing 19.2 minutes per game, while also making a start. During that time, she averaged 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists.

LSU continued its dominant start to the season Thursday, cruising past Alcorn. The Tigers have now scored more than 100 points in every game this year and won their first six games by an average margin of 56.8 points. That includes a 115-26 win over Southeastern Louisiana.

Flau’jae Johnson and MiLaysia Fulwiley led the way for LSU with 18 points apiece, while Mikaylah Williams added 15. Kate Koval also had a double-double, putting up 15 points and pulling down 12 rebounds off the bench. As a group, LSU shot 58% from the floor, including 38% from three-point territory, and grabbed 50 rebounds in the effort.

LSU will now have some time off before squaring off against Marist after the Thanksgiving holiday. A marquee matchup awaits after that, though, as the Tigers head to Duke on Dec. 4.