Kentucky’s depth will once again be tested Saturday night at Auburn — and now there’s a new wrinkle to monitor.
As the Wildcats prepare for a crucial SEC road matchup at Neville Arena, UK’s availability report lists three players officially out: Jaland Lowe, Jayden Quaintance and Kam Williams. But for the first time this season, senior guard Denzel Aberdeen has appeared on the report — labeled as probable.
Under SEC guidelines, “probable” suggests a 75% chance the player will suit up. That designation follows a brief injury scare Tuesday night against Georgia, when Aberdeen appeared to hurt his left shoulder before stepping off the floor. He returned shortly after and still logged 32 minutes in the loss.
Still, his inclusion on the report adds uncertainty for a Kentucky team already operating with limited numbers.
Aberdeen’s Importance Can’t Be Overstated
Aberdeen has been one of Kentucky’s most reliable pieces this season. The Florida transfer has started 25 of 26 games, averaging 12.6 points, a team-best 3.2 assists and 2.4 rebounds in nearly 29 minutes per contest.
With Lowe sidelined for the season following shoulder surgery, Aberdeen has taken on heavier point guard responsibilities — making his health even more critical down the stretch.
He’s shooting 43.7% from the field, 35.5% from three and 78.6% at the free-throw line. If he were to be limited or unavailable, Kentucky’s offensive rhythm would take a significant hit.
An updated availability report is expected around 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday, just a couple of hours before the 8:30 tip between the Wildcats (17-9, 8-5 SEC) and Tigers (14-12, 5-8).
The Long-Term Injury Picture
Saturday will mark the eighth straight game Kentucky has played without Lowe, Quaintance and Williams.
Jaland Lowe is out for the season after multiple right shoulder injuries required surgery.
Jayden Quaintance has missed 11 straight games due to lingering knee issues tied to the torn ACL he suffered in February 2025 at Arizona State. He has yet to return to practice.
“He is not ready right now,” head coach Mark Pope said this week. “He’s gotta be 100% ready.”
Kam Williams continues recovering from foot surgery after breaking his left foot in January against Texas. Pope described himself as “optimistic” about a potential return — but only if Kentucky extends its season deep enough into March.
There are just five regular-season games remaining before postseason play begins. The SEC Tournament tips off March 11 in Nashville, followed by the NCAA Tournament starting March 19.
Importantly, Pope has not ruled out a return from Quaintance or Williams this season — leaving the door open for reinforcements if Kentucky can keep its season alive long enough.
Redshirts Remain Untouched
Despite the mounting injuries, Pope has opted not to burn the redshirts of freshman forward Braydon Hawthorne or junior forward Reece Potter. Both remain preserved for future seasons.
That decision underscores Kentucky’s balancing act: compete now with a short rotation while protecting long-term roster stability.
Auburn’s Situation
Auburn’s availability report includes only sophomore center Emeka Opurum, who remains out for the season due to a medical condition.
Otherwise, the Tigers appear at full strength as both teams attempt to snap losing streaks in what feels like a pivotal late-February SEC matchup.
With Kentucky already down three contributors and now monitoring Aberdeen’s shoulder, Saturday’s showdown carries even more weight. The Wildcats don’t have much margin for error — and every healthy body matters from here on out.
