Just when Kentucky fans were bracing for the worst after Jaland Lowe’s shoulder injury, Matt Jones dropped a game-changing update on his return — and it’s far more promising than anyone expected. The buzz around the Bluegrass just flipped from concern to cautious optimism… let’s dive in and see what’s really going on.
Kentucky fans finally have a reason to breathe a little easier after a nerve-wracking night in Lexington.
During Saturday’s KSR Pregame Show, host Matt Jones shared an encouraging update on Jaland Lowe, the Wildcats’ starting point guard who injured his right shoulder during the Blue-White Game on Friday night.
According to Jones, a source close to the program told him that it’s not out of the question for Lowe to return as early as Kentucky’s matchup with Louisville on November 11. While the more conservative estimate has him back by the start of SEC play on January 3, the fact that a November return is “in play” offers optimism for Big Blue Nation.
A Scary Moment in the Blue-White Game
Lowe’s injury came midway through the Blue-White scrimmage when he appeared to dislocate his right shoulder. Witnesses said he immediately told trainers it had “popped out.” The medical staff acted quickly, popping it back into place as Lowe grimaced in pain before leaving the court.
After the game, head coach Mark Pope called it a “tweak” and confirmed that Lowe would undergo testing on Saturday to determine the extent of the injury.
Lowe Looked Sharp Before the Setback
Before exiting the game, Lowe was one of the standouts of the night. In just nine minutes, he scored nine points on 3-for-6 shooting, hit one three-pointer, and added two rebounds and one assist.
The former Pittsburgh transfer, who earned Third-Team All-ACC honors last season after averaging 16.8 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game, was already showing flashes of why he was named to the Preseason All-SEC Third Team.
What’s Next for Kentucky
With Lowe’s status still being monitored, Kentucky will look to adjust its backcourt rotation heading into the preseason slate. The Wildcats open exhibition play against No. 1 Purdue on October 24 inside Rupp Arena, with tip-off set for 6 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.
If Jones’ report holds true, there’s now hope that Lowe’s absence could be much shorter than initially feared — and that he might even be back in uniform when Kentucky faces its archrival under the lights at Rupp.
