Why Joshua Jefferson is not playing vs Kentucky today. Cyclones give latest injury update

Joshua Jefferson injury update: Iowa State will be without one of its most important players as it faces Kentucky

Published on: Mar 23, 2026, 24:03:40 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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Joshua Jefferson injury update: Iowa State will be without one of its most important players as it faces Kentucky in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Star forward Joshua Jefferson has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s matchup, as per the latest injury report.

Iowa State Cyclones forward Joshua Jefferson talks to the media during a practice session (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

What happened to Joshua Jefferson?

Jefferson’s absence comes after he injured his left ankle less than three minutes into Iowa State’s opening-round game against Tennessee State. The forward appeared to twist his ankle awkwardly while landing after attempting a layup. He was unable to put weight on his left foot and had to be helped off the court by staff.

He did not return to the game and was later seen on crutches.

Latest update from team

Heading into Sunday, signs had already pointed toward Jefferson missing the game. He was seen wearing a walking boot and using a knee scooter a day before the contest.

Head coach TJ Otzelberger addressed the challenge. "We've got so much confidence in this group and guys that can step up on a given night. Obviously when you have a guy like Joshua out, it's going to be imperative that other guys step in," he said.

Big loss for Cyclones’ Sweet 16 push

The 6-foot-8 forward averages 16.4 points, a team-high 7.4 rebounds along with 4.8 assists for the second-seeded Cyclones (28-7), who are shooting for their third Sweet 16 berth in five years under head coach T.J. Otzelberger.

Seventh-seeded Kentucky (22-13) seeks its second consecutive Sweet 16 spot. The Wildcats have not gone past the regional semifinals since 2019.

With Jefferson sidelined, Iowa State will now rely on its supporting cast to step up against a strong Kentucky side.

Jefferson said he was doing “as much rehab as I can,” but time is not on his side.

“A lot of compression and then moving it around,” Jefferson said, when asked what he can do to help his recovery. “The best thing right now is to get it moving as much as I can, and then start to be able to walk again.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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