Auburn basketball got good news on Jaylin Williams' knee injury on February 18, the day after the Tigers' 70-59 loss to Kentucky at the Neville Arena. According to On3's Justin Hokanson, surgery will not be required.
"Source: Auburn's Jaylin Williams isn't expected to need surgery and will return soon after a knee injury against Kentucky," Hokanson wrote. "Williams underwent his MRI this morning. That's great news for the Tigers. We'll see how long Williams is out, that'll be up to Bruce Pearl and Williams."
Bruce Pearl had sounded the alarms during the postgame presser against the Wildcats -- a game he seemingly knew AU would have trouble with -- on February 17 while trying to be optimistic about a potential long-term Williams loss for his rotation.
“If Jaylin’s out, we’re going to have to figure some things out,” Pearl said (h/t AL.com). “I think we have guys that will step up. But Jaylin Williams is — he and Johni Broome are our two best players. So if he’s out for a little while, it’s got to be next man up. That’s a significant loss."
Auburn basketball needs Jaylin Williams to win SEC, March Madness tournaments
Auburn cannot win anything without Williams. While the Tigers were able to overcome the loss of frontcourt star Chuma Okeke in 2019, AU was able to ride the hot hands of Jared Harper and Bryce Brown.
Auburn's version of Harper and Brown in 2023-24 is Williams and Johni Broome; the latter of whom will pick up a massive offensive burden until the former returns to the floor. If he ever does this season or ever again, that is. Barring Aden Holloway finally living up to expectations or KD Johnson going on an inhuman rampage scorching nets out of shot creation, the offense won't be able to recover from losing No. 2.
Luckily, Williams is expected to return in a few weeks. Crisis avoided.