LSU heads into a tough road matchup against Tennessee this Saturday with a big question mark hanging over one of its most reliable contributors: Max Mackinnon. The senior guard is officially listed as questionable on the SEC’s availability report after tweaking his knee in Tuesday’s blowout loss to Arkansas.
The Tigers (14-10, 2-9 SEC) are already reeling, and Mackinnon’s status only adds to the uncertainty as they prepare to face a Tennessee squad sitting at 17-7 overall and 7-4 in conference play. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville.
Mackinnon went down during LSU’s 91-62 loss to the Razorbacks and didn’t return. Head coach Matt McMahon offered a bit of optimism postgame, saying he didn’t believe the injury was “anything serious,” but the Portland transfer was scheduled for further evaluation the following day.
Before exiting, Mackinnon logged 20 minutes, scoring just two points and grabbing three rebounds. But don’t let that stat line fool you-this is a player who’s been the heartbeat of LSU’s offense, especially in SEC play.
At 6-foot-6, the Australian guard is averaging 14.5 points and 2.5 assists per game on the season. He’s also been lights-out from the stripe, leading the SEC with a 92.1% free-throw percentage, and he’s hitting nearly 40% from deep.
With fellow backcourt mate Dedan Thomas sidelined for much of the conference schedule, Mackinnon has stepped up in a big way. In SEC games, he’s averaging 16.4 points and 2.8 assists while maintaining elite efficiency-shooting 94.4% from the line and 34.8% from three. He’s hit the 20-point mark six times this season, including a 27-point effort on 9-of-16 shooting in a hard-fought loss at Vanderbilt.
But LSU won’t have Thomas this weekend, either. The UNLV transfer is out again, missing his ninth game of the season after reaggravating a left foot injury back on January 28. His absence has left a major hole in the Tigers’ backcourt rotation, and Mackinnon has been the one trying to fill it.
Also missing from the lineup is Ron Zipper, who remains in concussion protocol. The Israeli guard hasn’t played since LSU’s final nonconference game, logging just two minutes in a win over Southern Miss. Head coach McMahon noted earlier this week that Zipper took a hit to the head during a competitive practice segment in early February, but the team is hopeful he’ll return soon.
And, of course, LSU continues to be without Jalen Reed, who’s out for the season with a left Achilles injury-another blow to a roster that’s been fighting to stay afloat in the brutal SEC.
With Mackinnon’s status in limbo, the Tigers will likely lean even more on Marquel Sutton. The fifth-year senior forward has quietly been one of LSU’s most consistent performers during conference play.
The Omaha transfer is averaging 12.5 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting just over 40% from the floor in SEC action. He was a lone bright spot against Arkansas, finishing with 18 points and six boards.
Make no mistake-this LSU squad is shorthanded and facing an uphill climb in Knoxville. But if Mackinnon can suit up, even at less than 100%, it gives the Tigers a fighting chance to stay competitive against a Tennessee team that’s been rolling at home.