TyTy Washington still "day-to-day" following ankle injury

Orlando Antigua did not have an update on TyTy Washington for reporters this afternoon. Kentucky’s assistant coach said Washington remains “day-to-day” after landing awkwardly on his left ankle at Auburn on Saturday.

“We’ll find out later in practice if he’s going to be available,” Antigua said. “He’s like the rest of us: he’s day-to-day.”

Washington suffered the injury at the 8:20 mark in the first half. After driving the floor and rising up for a mid-range jumper, Washington landed on Oscar Tshiebwe‘s foot, rolling his left ankle forward. He was able to walk to the locker room under his own power but did not return. When Washington went out, Kentucky had a nine-point lead, but the Tigers outscored the Cats by 18 points the rest of the way on the way to the 80-71 win.

After the Auburn loss, both Oscar Tshiebwe and Kellan Grady said they believed Kentucky could have beaten the Tigers if TyTy didn’t get hurt. Jacob Toppin doubled down on that today.

“I’m not the type to make excuses, but when TyTy got hurt, it changed the whole speed of the game. We were up and I believe if TyTy didn’t get hurt, we would have won that game. One hundred percent.”

Same goes for the LSU game after Sahvir Wheeler ran into the hard screen by Efton Reid and had to go to the locker room.

“It just sucks,” Toppin said. “Injuries suck. The LSU game, if Sahvir didn’t get hurt, I believe we 100% would have won that game. Like I said, if TyTy didn’t get hurt, we would have won the Auburn game, but things happen. We’ve got to learn to adapt and figure out a way to win.”

Speaking of Wheeler, there was no update on his status either. Twice on Saturday, he ran into screens by Auburn seven-footer Walker Kessler. He returned to action but looked dazed. If Washington and/or Wheeler aren’t able to play tomorrow vs. Mississippi State, Antigua says the Cats will adjust accordingly.

“I think it’s something we’re concentrating on and working on. Obviously, it’s hard to practice and say, okay, if they’re available, put them to the side and not practice them. These are things that happen in the game. Not anticipating injury and things like that. And guys have to change their roles mid-game and responsibilities but fortunate for us, we’ve got a really smart, veteran team and we’ll be able to make those adjustments if we need to. What we would prefer is that they’re available and out on the court and helping us but like you said, the game throws obstacles at you that you have to adjust to and it just gives our guys the opportunity to step up with our ‘Next Man Up’ mentality.”

John Calipari’s radio show is tonight at 6 p.m. ET on WLAP, so hopefully, we’ll get a better update then.