UPDATE: Iowa State’s star point guard Tamin Lipsey suffered a concerning injury late in the game during the Cyclones’ thrilling 83-82 victory over St. John’s on November 20, 2023. His status for the remainder of the Players Era Festival remains uncertain, sparking immediate concern among fans and teammates.
The injury occurred with 2:09 remaining in the game when St. John’s Oziyah Sellers hit a critical 3-pointer. Lipsey was seen lying on the court for several minutes before gingerly walking to the locker room, his jersey covering his face. Coach T.J. Otzelberger confirmed post-game that Lipsey’s condition is being evaluated, stating, “We’re still evaluating… it’s going to be a day-to-day, lower-body extremity.” This uncertainty raises alarm for the Cyclones as they look to maintain momentum in the tournament.
Throughout the season, Lipsey, a two-time All-Big 12 selection, has been a key player for Iowa State, averaging 18.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 3.2 steals per game. His leadership is invaluable, and junior forward Milan Momcilovic expressed the emotional weight of the situation, saying, “That’s our guy. He runs the team… it’s obviously disappointing to see him go down.”
Despite Lipsey’s injury, Iowa State managed to secure the win against the No. 14 ranked St. John’s, showcasing their resilience. The Cyclones initially surged to a 10-point lead, but the Red Storm fought back, leading 45-43 at halftime as the game swung back and forth between the two elite defensive teams.
As the second half unfolded, both teams battled fiercely, resulting in nine lead changes. Iowa State built a five-point lead with just over three minutes left, but Sellers responded with consecutive 3-pointers, giving St. John’s a brief edge. However, Momcilovic’s timely drive restored Iowa State’s lead, and the Cyclones’ dominance on the boards proved decisive, with 17 offensive rebounds leading to 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,” St. John’s coach Rick Pitino said. “That’s a credit to their incredible crashing of the offensive glass.”
Momcilovic shone brightly in the game, scoring 23 points and hitting five 3-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, but it was not enough to overcome Iowa State’s relentless effort.
Iowa State, now at a perfect 5-0 record, is set to face Creighton on November 21, 2023, while St. John’s, now 3-2, will prepare to battle Baylor in their next matchup. The impact of Lipsey’s injury will be closely monitored as the Cyclones continue in the tournament.
Stay tuned for further updates on Lipsey’s condition and Iowa State’s performance as they navigate this critical tournament.
