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Tennessee's Zakai Zeigler returns vs. Kentucky after injury scare late in first half

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•01/28/25•

GrantRamey

Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee Basketball | Andrew Ferguson, Tennessee Athletics
Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee Basketball | Andrew Ferguson, Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee point guard Zakai Zeigler’s injury scare late in the first half against Kentucky Tuesday night appears to be just that — a scare. Zeigler returned to the floor with this teammates after halftime and started the second half.

Zeigler exited with 2:17 left in the first half after appearing to suffer a knee injury. He drove to the rim, was fouled and appeared to have his knee buckle awkwardly leading to a fall in the lane.

Zeigler jumped up and ran under his own power, going straight to the tunnel toward the Tennessee locker room, behind the Tennessee bench. 

The ESPN broadcast of the game reported that Zeigler was on a stationary bike in the Tennessee tunnel after suffering the injury.

Rick Barnes at halftime: ‘I’m worried about it’

“I don’t know,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes told ESPN at halftime, when asked about the injury. “For him to run off the court it worries me because I have never seen him do that. I would expect him to bounce right back up (when he hit the floor). It’s something for him to do that. I’m worried about it.” 

Kentucky chose Felix Okpara to shoot free throws in place of Zeigler after he left the floor. Okpara missed the free throws, but Tennessee got the offensive rebound and got a 3-pointer from Jordan Gainey later in the possession, getting the Vols back within two points after trailing by as many as eight points earlier in the half. 

Jahamai Mashack tied the game on a pair of free throws on Tennessee’s next possession, with 1:28 left before halftime, and Chaz Lanier put the Vols ahead 33-30 on three with 39 seconds left in the half.

Zakai Zeigler suffered a torn ACL in February 2023

Zeigler’s knee injury against Kentucky was to his right knee. Zeigler suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in February 2023 in the final home game of the 2022-23 season, but returned in time to start the 2023-24 season. 

Zeigler is averaging a career year through 20 games, averaging 12.3 points, 7.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 34.3 minutes per game. He had 14 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals in Tennessee’s 53-51 loss at No. 1 Auburn Saturday night. 

After tearing his ACL in February 2023, Zeigler returned to average 31.6 minutes per game, starting 30 times in 36 games during the 2023-24 season. 

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