UPDATE: Iowa State’s star point guard Tamin Lipsey suffered a concerning injury during the team’s 83-82 victory over St. John’s in Las Vegas on November 20, 2023. His status for the remainder of the Players Era Festival remains uncertain as officials evaluate the severity of his condition.
Late in the game, with just over two minutes remaining, Lipsey collapsed on the court following a three-pointer by St. John’s Oziyah Sellers. He was attended to by head coach T.J. Otzelberger and the medical staff before walking off the court with his jersey covering his face, indicating the seriousness of the situation.
“We’re still evaluating,” Otzelberger stated post-game. “It’s going to be a day-to-day, lower-body extremity issue, but I don’t have great details yet.”
Fans are left anxious as Lipsey, a two-time All-Big 12 selection, has already faced injury challenges this season, missing significant preseason time due to a knee issue. Currently, he is averaging 18.4 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.2 steals per game. His absence would be a significant blow to the Cyclones, who rely heavily on his leadership.
Junior forward Milan Momcilovic expressed the emotional weight of the moment, saying, “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.”
Despite Lipsey’s exit, Iowa State managed to secure the win against the No. 14 Red Storm. The Cyclones had jumped to a quick 10-point lead early on, but St. John’s fought back, leading at halftime 45-43. The game was a battle of attrition, featuring nine lead changes and intense defensive play from both sides.
Iowa State capitalized on offensive rebounds, securing 17 offensive boards and converting them into 22 second-chance points. In contrast, St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino lamented his team’s inability to secure crucial rebounds down the stretch, stating, “We take the loss because we couldn’t come up with the rebounds. It’s unfortunate we lost another good game.”
Momcilovic shone in the game, scoring 23 points and hitting five three-pointers, while teammate Joshua Jefferson added 17 points and eight rebounds. On the opposing side, St. John’s frontcourt trio combined for 44 points and 25 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to clinch the win.
Looking ahead, Iowa State (5-0) is set to face Creighton tomorrow, while St. John’s (3-2) will take on Baylor. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely for updates on Lipsey’s condition and its potential impact on the Cyclones’ season.
