UK Basketball: John Calipari gives positive injury update on PJ Washington

One of the more under-the-radar stories of Saturday’s win at in Morgantown was Kentucky getting nothing from PJ Washington.

The freshman forward has been a pivcitol weapon for the Cats recently, but for whatever reason, he put up a goose egg at West Virginia, scoring just two points on 1-of-3 shooting with two turnovers.

That made Kentucky’s win even more improbable, but it can’t continue if the Cats are going to build off this going forward. As it turns out, Washington was playing with a minor knee issue that helped lead to him playing just 11 minutes.

On Monday, John Calipari had good news on the issue, saying it was minor and that Kentucky was just playing it safe Saturday.

“I think he’ll (PJ) be fine,” said Calipari. “It was a knee or something that was slowing him down, and we just couldn’t have anybody playing at 80 or 90 percent. You’re bringing it, or we have to go without you.”

With Washington out, Kentucky got great production from Wenyen Gabriel and Jarred Vanderbilt, who combined for 20 rebounds and five assists. Still, they didn’t come close to replicating what Washington brings offensively, as the two combined to go 1-of-12 from the field for seven points.

Kentucky can probably beat Vanderbilt at home without Washington doing much, if anything, but that can’t happen Saturday at Missouri, next Tuesday against Tennessee or the following Saturday at Texas A&M.

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