Iowa State’s Tamin Lipsey Injured in Nail-Biting Win Over St. John’s

UPDATE: In a dramatic turn of events, Iowa State’s star point guard Tamin Lipsey suffered a late-game injury during the Cyclones’ narrow 83-82 victory over St. John’s on November 20, 2023. His status for the remainder of the Players Era Festival remains uncertain as the team continues to evaluate his condition.

With just 2:09 left on the clock, Lipsey collapsed on the court after a three-pointer from St. John’s Oziyah Sellers, raising immediate concerns among fans and teammates. Coach T.J. Otzelberger was seen kneeling beside him, and Lipsey was later escorted to the locker room, his jersey covering his face, a troubling sight for the Cyclones.

“We’re still evaluating,” Otzelberger stated post-game. “The training staff, medical staff, just told us it’s going to be a day-to-day, lower-body extremity, so I don’t have great detail on it.”

Lipsey, a two-time All-Big 12 selection, has been pivotal for the Cyclones, averaging 18.4 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.2 steals this season. His potential absence could significantly impact Iowa State’s upcoming games, especially with a crucial match against Creighton on the horizon.

Despite Lipsey’s injury, the No. 15 Cyclones managed to secure the win against No. 14 St. John’s, showcasing their resilience. Junior forward Milan Momcilovic expressed the emotional toll of losing their leader: “That’s our guy. He runs the team. It’s obviously disappointing to see him go down. But we have a next-player-step-up mentality.”

The game itself was a tightly contested battle, with nine lead changes and neither team leading by more than seven points in the second half. Iowa State, known for its fierce defense, dominated the boards with 17 offensive rebounds, converting those opportunities into 22 second-chance points.

“With the game on the line, we just didn’t come up with the rebounds necessary to put the other team away,” lamented St. John’s coach Rick Pitino. “It’s unfortunate we lost another good game.”

Momcilovic starred for Iowa State, scoring 23 points and hitting five three-pointers, while teammate Joshua Jefferson added 17 points and 8 rebounds. The Red Storm’s frontcourt trio of Zuby Ejiofor, Bryce Hopkins, and Dillon Mitchell combined for 44 points and 25 rebounds, maintaining competitive pressure throughout the game.

As Iowa State (5-0) prepares to face Creighton and St. John’s (3-2) gears up for a match against Baylor, the basketball community will be closely monitoring Lipsey’s recovery. Fans and teammates alike are hopeful for a quick return, as the Cyclones aim to keep their undefeated streak alive.