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UPDATE
The open portion of Kentucky’s practice was 15 minutes long with mostly stretching and free-throw shooting, which PJ took part in:
PJ said he hadn’t even jogged on the foot yet. Has now. pic.twitter.com/YjKuvbDVRV
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 28, 2019
PJ knocking down free throws which was the extent of his participation today. But nobody else did much more. Practice only open to media for 15 min. Better than 14 though, ya dig. #BBN pic.twitter.com/9f38AISwDb
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) March 28, 2019
However, it sounds like PJ didn’t get a full workload in:
PJ shot free throws to run the clock out on open practice. A couple of us had some trouble finding the right exit for the arena area. The bigs started full-speed transition drills. PJ was standing on the sideline for the first minute or so of that.
— Ben Roberts (@BenRobertsHL) March 28, 2019
That ends today's #PJWatch.
Between this and John Calipari suggesting Washington would be on a minutes restriction, don’t expect to see him get a full workload Friday.
The Kentucky Wildcats are currently in Kansas City getting set for the Houston Cougars in the Sweet 16.
The big question for Kentucky has been the status of PJ Washington, who had his hard cast removed this week as he works his way back from a sprained foot.
On Tuesday, it was reported that the hard cast on PJ’s foot was removed as he flew to Wisconsin to see a foot specialist.
Then on Wednesday, Washington sent everyone into a buzz with a video on Twitter centered on his feet walking around. Both John Calipari and the Kentucky Basketball Twitter account reposted the video on social media, which all but confirmed PJ was back.
Now, Washington is in uniform and heading to Kentucky’s practice:
PJ Washington walking to interview room without a boot on left foot. pic.twitter.com/jYVTZ3zeBY
— rickbozich (@rickbozich) March 28, 2019
However, Washington doesn’t want you to think it isn’t a done deal he’s good to go for Friday, as he still hasn’t put any real pressure on the injured foot:
PJ Washington says status for tomorrow’s game is still undecided. “It’s good. I feel good.” Wants to see if he can “go out there and do stuff on the court.” Says he hasn’t put any pressure on it yet.
— Ben Roberts (@BenRobertsHL) March 28, 2019
PJ Washington at the podium says he is going to try to play Friday night. Says he is ‘in a good place.’ Says he is ‘thinking about giving it a go’ in practice. ‘I feel good. Just a matter of going out there and seeing what I can do.’
— Mark Story (@markcstory) March 28, 2019
PJ Washington debunks all the rumors: he does not have gout, did not kick anything in the locker room in Nashville and those were not anyone else’s feet in the video yesterday, which he says was Calipari’s idea.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 28, 2019
Still, this just about assures Washington of playing Friday, though it remains to be seen if he will be on any type of minutes restriction and if he’s close to being 100% healthy, which Kentucky needs in order to reach the Final Four, though it sounds like they may have to settle for a little less if he’s not even practiced on the foot yet.
.@2ReidTravis2 on possibility of getting Washington back “We are a very different team without him, his production and his leadership is all different. Obviously, if we can get him back we will be a lot stronger team.”
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) March 28, 2019
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