Zakai Zeigler’s Injury Scare: What’s Next for Tennessee’s Playoff Hopes?
Tennessee basketball point guard Zakai Zeigler was notably absent from practice on Thursday, just one day before the team’s highly anticipated matchup against No. 5 Florida.
This decision came after Zeigler experienced an injury scare earlier this week during the Vols’ loss to Kentucky.
Head coach Rick Barnes informed the media on Friday afternoon that Zeigler did not participate in Thursday’s session.
The incident that raised concerns occurred late in the first half of Tennessee’s game against Kentucky.
With just 2:17 left on the clock, Zeigler attempted a drive to the basket but appeared to tweak his right knee.
He immediately left the court and made his way to the locker room without consulting the coaching staff. This unexpected exit left fans and coaches wondering about the severity of the injury.
Barnes provided an update prior to Friday’s practice, admitting he had not yet received detailed information regarding Zeigler’s status.
“I just walked in the building and haven’t heard where he’s at,” Barnes said.
Despite the uncertainty, Barnes expressed confidence that Zeigler would be ready for the game against Florida.
“My gut feel is, knowing him, that he’ll be ready to play,” he added, displaying optimism despite the situation.
When asked if he was concerned about Zeigler missing practice during such a crucial week, Barnes was firm in his response. “No, not at all. Not one bit,” he said, downplaying any worries over his point guard’s absence from practice.
Tennessee is gearing up to face a tough Florida team on Saturday afternoon at Thompson-Boling Arena, with the game scheduled to tip off at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Vols will be looking to bounce back after their loss to Kentucky and capitalize on their home-court advantage in this pivotal SEC showdown.
A spokesperson for the University of Tennessee confirmed that Zeigler’s injury was indeed related to his right knee, though it was not immediately clear how severe the issue was.
However, during the halftime break of the Kentucky game, Zeigler was seen warming up with the intention of returning to action.
True to his competitive nature, Zeigler did re-enter the game at the start of the second half, despite the discomfort he had felt earlier.
Barnes offered some insight into the injury after the game, suggesting that Zeigler may have experienced a minor sprain or some similar discomfort.
“I think he may have felt like a sprain or something like that,” Barnes explained. “Obviously something that bothered him because he would never do what he did, going straight back (to the locker room).”
At the time of Zeigler’s injury, Tennessee was trailing 30-25, but the team managed to rally, closing out the first half with an 11-0 run to take a 33-30 lead into the break.
Senior guard Jordan Gainey played a pivotal role in the turnaround, hitting two consecutive three-pointers.
Fifth-year guard Chaz Lanier also made a key contribution with a three-pointer just before halftime, giving the Vols their first lead of the game.
Though Zeigler’s shooting performance in the first half was less than stellar—scoring only two points on 1-of-8 shooting and missing all four of his three-point attempts—he was determined to make an impact.
Despite struggling with his shot, Zeigler finished the game with 13 points, contributing six assists, four rebounds, two offensive rebounds, and two steals in 35 minutes of play.
Zeigler’s performance in the second half was particularly notable as he played all 20 minutes following his injury scare.
He scored 11 points, although he continued to struggle with his three-point shooting, finishing the half 1-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Nonetheless, his resilience and leadership on the floor were critical for Tennessee as they fought through the adversity of the game.
As the Vols prepare for their upcoming clash with Florida, the health of Zeigler remains a point of focus.
While his absence from practice may raise some concerns, the veteran guard’s determination and prior history of playing through minor injuries suggests that he will be ready to contribute when the game tips off on Saturday.
The Vols will need his leadership and playmaking ability as they face one of the toughest teams in the SEC in a game that could have significant implications for their postseason aspirations.
