A scary moment turned into a resilient performance for the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday, as point guard Jaland Lowe re-aggravated his nagging right shoulder injury just seconds after checking into the game against No. 22 St. John’s. Despite the early setback, Lowe returned in the second half and contributed to Kentucky’s impressive 78-66 victory in the CBS Sports Classic at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Lowe, the veteran transfer from Pittsburgh, entered the game with about 16 minutes left in the first half. On his first defensive possession, he appeared to tweak his shoulder while contesting a shot, immediately grabbing it in pain before heading straight to the locker room. A Kentucky spokesperson initially listed him as questionable to return.
The injury is the latest chapter in an ongoing issue for Lowe, who has battled right shoulder problems since the preseason Blue-White Game in October. He previously missed multiple games in November and early December, sitting out key losses to Michigan State and North Carolina. Lowe had just returned to form, posting a season-high 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists in 24 minutes during last week’s win over Indiana.
Kentucky’s backcourt depth has been tested all season, making Lowe’s health critical. As the roster’s primary true point guard, his absence forces coach Mark Pope to rely on alternatives like Florida transfer Denzel Aberdeen and freshman Jasper Johnson, who filled in admirably during his earlier sidelining.
Adding to the injury concerns on the day, forward Mo Dioubate missed time earlier this year with an ankle issue. However, there was positive news elsewhere: highly-touted transfer Jayden Quaintance, recovering from a February ACL tear at Arizona State, made his long-awaited Kentucky debut against the Red Storm, providing a spark with scoring and blocks in limited minutes.
Despite the early scare, Lowe gutted it out and re-entered the game in the second half, helping fuel a comeback. Otega Oweh led the Wildcats with 20 points, while contributions from the bench—including Lowe and Quaintance—powered Kentucky to their first win over a ranked opponent this season. The victory improved UK’s record and provided a much-needed boost heading into the final non-conference game.
Lowe’s toughness in returning underscored his importance to the team, but the recurring shoulder issue remains a concern for the Wildcats as SEC play approaches.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate with a passion for college football and basketball. He firmly believes in fouling when up three.
