LSU fans held their breath as Flau’jae Johnson stepped onto the court before Sunday’s game against Ole Miss, a walking boot strapped to her right foot. The sight sparked concern, but head coach Kim Mulkey quickly put the speculation to rest—Johnson wouldn’t be playing through the SEC Tournament. The move? A calculated risk! But just hours after the Tigers’ second straight loss, a national coach’s late-night stance shifted the conversation away from Johnson. 

Entering Sunday’s game against Ole Miss, the Tigers had history and the season record on their side. The Rebels hadn’t won their last 12 games against LSU and stood 18-9 overall, coming off a loss to South Carolina. But Mulkey’s squad didn’t seem like the one they had started the game with. They’d crumble in the third quarter despite a 15-point lead to fall 85-77 when the buzzer sounded. Disappointment echoed through PMAC, but there was one Tigress roaring the loudest— enough to overshadow any player and quite possibly the second-consecutive loss.

“This young lady is the REAL DEAL!”

That’s the message Coach Yo sent out, backing Aneesah Morrow 18 hours after LSU’s collapse and her historic milestone. The Ole Miss HC retweeted the NCAA March Madness post highlighting the senior guard’s feat—becoming just the second player in NCAA Division I history to hit 100 career double-doubles. 

Sunday’s double-double was Morrow’s 26th of the season, a testament to her dominance. And that’s where Morrow’s case for SEC Player of the Year picks up steam.

With Johnson sidelined, the conversation about the conference’s top player is wide open. Morrow is stacking up against names like Madison Booker, Georgia Amoore, and Mikayla Blakes, but her numbers don’t lie. She leads the SEC in rebounds (14 per game), ranks fourth in steals (2.5), and is dropping 18.2 points per game on 48% shooting from the field.

Against Ole Miss, she showed why she belongs in the conversation, putting up 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting, grabbing 10 rebounds, and going 7-of-10 from the free-throw line. LSU’s star guard was in the mix for the award, but with her injury and the Tigers sliding, the tides may be turning.

The Chicago native transferred to LSU ahead of the 2023-24 season after two standout years at DePaul. She started every game she appeared in, averaging 21.9 points and 13.8 rebounds per game as a freshman before boosting her scoring to 25.7 points per game as a sophomore.

That kind of production doesn’t just happen. USA Today Sports Network crowned her the SEC Player of the Year with Booker in the trailing. As for Johnson, Mulkey’s focus is on balancing preparation with rest. 

Flau’jae Johnson’s absence not felt? Kim Mulkey talks prioritization

LSU will have to take on the SEC Tournament without its leading scorer, Flau’jae Johnson. The junior guard has been dealing with shin inflammation since LSU’s game against Texas, and head coach Kim Mulkey decided it was best to rest her before March Madness.

“We’re going to rest her through the SEC Tournament because it doesn’t affect us,” Mulkey said on LSU’s pregame radio broadcast. “She’s dealt with shin inflammation since the Texas game. The doctor and trainer wouldn’t shut her down because it’s a pain tolerance thing.”

Johnson has been one of the best guards in college basketball this season. She’s been lighting up the scoreboard, using her quick handles and smooth finishes to lead LSU in scoring. She’s also caught the eye of WNBA scouts, ranking as the third-best prospect in Aneela Khan’s 2026 WNBA mock draft.

But in recent games, she hasn’t quite looked like herself. Against Alabama, she’d shoot a mere 2-of-12 from the field and none from 3-point. It was 4-of-9 prior to that. 

“I don’t think Flau’jae’s best basketball has come in the last couple of weeks,” Mulkey said. “So let’s rest her. It’s not worth it.”

Johnson took to X (formerly Twitter) after LSU’s loss to Ole Miss, expressing her frustration with her recent performances. LSU hasn’t given an exact return date, but the hope is she’ll be back in time for the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers won’t play until March 21 or 22, giving her about three weeks to recover.

Mulkey and the team are banking on the rest, helping Johnson get back to full strength. If all goes well, she should be ready to roll when the real test begins—March Madness.