LSU’s Dedan Thomas Jr. Out Again: How the Tigers Are Adjusting Without Their Floor General
LSU will be without point guard Dedan Thomas Jr. once again this Saturday when they host Georgia, marking his sixth missed SEC game this season. For a team still trying to find its rhythm in conference play, the absence of their freshman floor general continues to be a major storyline.
Thomas re-aggravated his right foot injury during the first half of LSU’s recent matchup against Mississippi State. Though he pushed through for 28 minutes with the foot taped up, the aftermath wasn’t encouraging. Head coach Matt McMahon said Thomas experienced significant pain and soreness after the game - a setback that hadn’t occurred during his initial return to the court.
“He had a lot of pain and soreness following the game, which had not happened in his first two games back,” McMahon shared Thursday. As of now, Thomas is considered day-to-day, but there’s no clear timetable for his return.
This isn’t Thomas’ first stint on the sideline. He missed LSU’s first five SEC contests before making his conference debut against Florida and earning a start in the following game at Arkansas. His presence brought a noticeable spark, and LSU was hopeful he could stabilize the backcourt for the stretch run.
But now, the Tigers are once again forced to pivot - and fast.
McMahon was quick to shut down any speculation about Thomas’ commitment to the team, especially in an era where opt-outs and transfer whispers are never far from the surface.
“The one thing I just want really clear is: I know in today’s age of college athletics, you hear a lot of opt-outs and things like that,” McMahon said. “He is doing everything in his power [to get back].
He wants to be on the floor. He wants to help his team.”
According to McMahon, Thomas was putting in up to 16 hours a day during his initial recovery, and he’s attacking this latest setback with the same intensity. That kind of dedication speaks volumes - not just about the player, but about the culture LSU is trying to build.
In Thomas’ absence, the Tigers have had to get creative with their rotations. Rashad King has stepped into the starting point guard role and has delivered in a big way, helping to stabilize the offense. Freshman Jalen Reece has also seen increased minutes as LSU looks to keep its backcourt afloat.
“It’s been a little bit of a challenge, because we had to change how we play without DJ,” McMahon explained. “You saw a lot more off-ball screening versus the on-ball screen offense that we ran the first 13 [or] 15 games of the year … which I think is the pathway for us moving forward.”
That shift in offensive philosophy is no small adjustment. LSU’s early-season identity leaned heavily on Thomas’ ability to initiate offense in pick-and-roll situations.
Without him, the Tigers have had to retool - moving toward more motion and off-ball action to generate looks. It’s a different style, but one that might just help them unlock new dimensions down the stretch.
LSU is now midway through its SEC schedule, with a gauntlet of games still ahead. Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, Auburn, and Texas A&M all remain on the docket. And while the Tigers’ path to the NCAA Tournament is narrow, it’s still open - especially if they can replicate the kind of resilience they showed in their win over South Carolina.
Whether or not Thomas returns soon, LSU will need to keep evolving. The margin for error is slim, but the opportunity is still there. And if Thomas can get back on the floor, even better - because when he’s right, he gives this team a different gear.