Nate Sestina returns to practice

Perhaps Nate Sestina will be playing in Vegas after all.

On Monday, assistant coach Kenny Payne gave an update on Sestina that made it sound like he would be out Wednesday vs. Utah and possibly Saturday vs. Ohio State.

However, Sestina was seen taking part in Kentucky open practice on Tuesday.

Sestina is recovering from a wrist injury that led to surgery in late November. The initial diagnosis was 3-4 weeks, though John Calipari initially sounded optimistic about the grad transfer returning around three weeks.

Wednesday would be three weeks, so perhaps there is some sliver of hope that Sestina is able to play Wednesday. But the reality is he’s far more important for Saturday’s clash with a top-five Ohio State team that looks like a national title contender.

Having Sestina would be a major boost against a dominant Buckeyes frontline that features All-American candidate Kaleb Wesson, who went for 28 points and 10 boards in a recent win over Penn State.

Prior to the injury, Sestina had started all six games for Kentucky this season, averaging 7.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.