Sat Jan 03 21:40:00 UTC 2026: LSU’s Dedan Thomas Jr. Out for Key SEC Opener Against Texas A&M

Baton Rouge, LA – LSU will be without star guard Dedan Thomas Jr. for their Southeastern Conference opener against Texas A&M this Saturday at 3 p.m., according to the SEC availability report. Thomas, who was previously listed as doubtful, is sidelined with a lower leg injury sustained prior to the game. The severity of the injury remains unknown, according to a team spokesperson.

The loss of Thomas is a significant blow to the Tigers (12-1), who are already without forward Jalen Reed for the season due to an Achilles injury. Thomas is the team’s leading scorer (16.2 points per game) and assist leader (7.1 assists per game, leading the SEC) and is crucial to LSU’s offensive flow. In their recent 90-62 victory over Southern Miss, Thomas showcased his dominance with 22 points and 12 assists.

With Thomas sidelined, freshman Jalen Reece is likely to step into the point guard role. Reece is averaging 3.3 points and 1.8 assists in 13 minutes per game. Coach Matt McMahon acknowledges the importance of ball security against Texas A&M’s aggressive defensive pressure. He stated on Wednesday that “Ball security will be at a premium. Then decision-making, if you’re fortunate enough to beat the press, becomes critically important when you get in some of those scramble advantage situations.”

Shooting guard Max Mackinnon, known for his 3-point shooting, will also be tasked with increased ball-handling duties, as he is the team’s second-highest assist man.

Thomas’s absence undoubtedly impacts LSU’s chances against Texas A&M (10-3), a team known for forcing turnovers.

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