Things are getting uncomfortable in Baton Rouge. Kim Mulkey has never opened SEC play 0-2 at LSU, and yet here we are. This was the same team led by Flau’jae Johnson that rattled off eight straight 100-point games to start the season, but that early dominance already feels like a distant memory now… And the situation is about to get even tougher for the Tigers.

According to reporter Reed Darcey on X, Johnson is dealing with a swollen ankle, something Mulkey herself confirmed.

And according to information relayed by Darcey, the team is preparing as if Big 4 won’t suit up vs. Georgia Bulldogs, but LSU still expects her to try to play through the injury. If the Tigers move forward with that plan, it could turn into a massive gamble, not just for this game, but for the season-long health of one of their biggest stars.

Flau’jae Johnson has been a key piece for the Tigers from day one, and this season is no different. She’s averaging 14.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.

But the Tigers’ previous game against the Vanderbilt Commodores was a night to forget. Johnson finished scoreless in 19 minutes, marking just the second time in her career that she didn’t make a single basket.

Kim Mulkey later suggested that an injury may have played a role in the unusually quiet performance, which only adds to the growing concern.

“Would love to make an excuse for Flau’Jae, I don’t know the extent of the ankle, but yes, she came out, and did they retape it or something like that? But, I don’t know how bad it is,” Mulkey said after the narrow 2-point loss.

Now that the extent of the injury is clear, it’s fair to question whether the Tigers should risk Johnson against a Bulldogs team that they are capable of beating, even without her.

ESPN gives Mulkey’s team a 91% probability of winning the game.

Here, caution may be the smarter approach, especially considering this isn’t the first ankle issue Johnson has dealt with this season. She briefly left the floor against the Tulane Green Wave in November, but returned to the hardwood later in the game. She also missed last year’s SEC Tournament with shin splints, which only heightens the concern. Forcing her back too soon could easily make things worse.

Kim Mulkey’s options to fill the void left by Flau’jae Johnson

With the No. 2 Texas Longhorns looming right after the Georgia Bulldogs game, asking Flau’jae Johnson to log 20-30 minutes doesn’t make much sense. Some fans believe a strict minutes restriction could be the compromise, but Kim Mulkey has enough depth on the bench to avoid taking that risk altogether.

The Tigers have the luxury of turning to youth. Bella Hines and Divine Bourrage are two freshman guards who have yet to feature in SEC play but have already shown promise in non-conference action.

Hines is averaging 5.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 steals while playing 15.3 minutes per game. Bourrage, meanwhile, posts 2.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.2 steals in 13.6 minutes per game.

Top Stories

NFL Announces Decision on Rashee Rice Incident Amid Disturbing Allegations From Ex-GF

NFL Coach of 62 Years Retires Before Todd Bowles & Buccaneers Turn Coaching Room Upside Down With 5 Firings

Jon Rahm Breaks Silence on Enduring ‘Overweight’ Jibes from American Fans: ‘It Was Rough’

Brad Keselowski Snuffs Out Retirement Rumors Despite Prolonged Winless Streak

NASCAR Rumor: Fans Left Baffled as Insider Leaks ‘New Championship Format’ Weeks Before 2026 Season

Jeremiah Smith Wants to Blame OSU Unit for CFP Loss & Has Urban Meyer’s Backing

“These five games are as tough a bunch of games in a row that I think I’ve ever coached in,” Mulkey said recently. “We know what we face, and we gotta keep working. Gotta get better.”

It’ll be worth watching who Mulkey leans on against the Bulldogs. The upcoming stretch of games isn’t the easiest. After the Longhorns, they’ll face the No. 5 Oklahoma Sooners on the road, followed by games against the Texas A&M Aggies and Florida Gators.