Kentucky Wildcats fans have received a much more encouraging update on Milan Momcilovic, and the latest information is significantly different from what many initially feared.
When news broke that Momcilovic had suffered a finger injury during practice, there was immediate concern surrounding the Iowa State transfer. Because the injury involved his right index finger — his shooting hand — early reports raised questions about whether Kentucky could potentially be without one of its most important offseason additions.
However, further evaluation has provided a different picture.
Momcilovic did not suffer a broken finger. Instead, the talented forward reportedly severely jammed his right index finger during practice. While the injury is still serious enough to require some recovery time, the diagnosis is considerably more favorable than a fracture would have been.
That is potentially huge news for Mark Pope and Kentucky.
Momcilovic is expected to begin shooting again within approximately 10 days, while his return to full practice is projected to take around one to two weeks. That timeline gives the Wildcats plenty of reason to believe he can return before the start of regular-season competition.
The timing of the injury was certainly frustrating. Momcilovic was expected to play an important role for a Kentucky team that has undergone another major roster transformation under Pope.
The 6-foot-9 forward brings size, shooting ability and offensive versatility to the Wildcats. His ability to knock down three-pointers while playing at the forward position could create significant problems for opposing defenses.
That’s why the initial injury report caused concern among Kentucky fans.
Fortunately, the latest information suggests that Momcilovic’s injury should not have a major impact on his season. Barring an unexpected setback, he is not expected to miss any regular-season games.
For now, Kentucky’s priority will be making sure Momcilovic’s finger heals properly before he returns to full basketball activity. There is little reason for Pope and his staff to rush him back during preseason workouts.
What initially looked like potentially devastating news for Kentucky now appears to be a manageable setback.
And for Big Blue Nation, that may be the biggest takeaway of all: Milan Momcilovic isn’t back yet, but the latest update suggests his return could be much sooner than many initially feared.
