LSU’s DJ Thomas Jr. to Miss Remainder of Season Following Foot Surgery
Tough news out of Baton Rouge: LSU point guard DJ Thomas Jr. will undergo left foot surgery next week, officially ending his 2025-26 season. It’s a major blow for the Tigers, who lose not just a floor general, but a tone-setter on both ends of the court.
Thomas, who transferred to LSU after two strong seasons at UNLV, had quickly become the heartbeat of Matt McMahon’s squad. Whether it was threading the needle on a fast break or creating his own shot late in the clock, Thomas brought a blend of poise and playmaking that made LSU’s offense click. Since arriving on campus, he didn’t just earn a captain’s title-he lived it, leading by example and elevating the play of those around him.
“DJ has been a great teammate and a relentless competitor,” Coach McMahon said. “He makes everyone in our program better. I admire the toughness and fight DJ has shown since suffering his foot injury.”
And that toughness was on full display over the last month. Thomas originally injured the foot the day before SEC play tipped off.
He missed the first five conference games but battled his way back into the lineup for three contests-including a standout 18-point performance in a narrow loss at Arkansas. But the comeback was short-lived.
In LSU’s Jan. 28 matchup against Mississippi State, Thomas reaggravated the injury early, and that turned out to be his final appearance of the season.
Statistically, Thomas was having an elite year. In 16 games, he averaged 15.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and dished out 104 assists-good for 6.5 per game-against just 26 turnovers.
That’s a sparkling 4.00 assist-to-turnover ratio. For context, he was leading the SEC in both assists and assist-to-turnover ratio before falling off the leaderboard due to the conference’s 75 percent participation rule.
Simply put, he was one of the most efficient and impactful point guards in the country when healthy.
Now, LSU will have to regroup without their floor leader. The timing couldn’t be tougher, with the Tigers deep in the grind of SEC play and postseason hopes still in the balance. But McMahon and his staff will no doubt lean on the culture Thomas helped build-one defined by grit, unselfishness, and a next-man-up mentality.
As for Thomas, the focus shifts to recovery. Surgery will sideline him for the rest of this campaign, but his work ethic and leadership haven’t gone anywhere. If anything, expect him to remain a vocal presence around the team as he begins the road back.
It’s a setback, no doubt. But knowing DJ Thomas Jr., it’s just the start of another comeback.