Rick Pitino updates Deivon Smith’s injury status after Villanova win
By ADAM ZAGORIA
St. John’s guard Deivon Smith could miss Tuesday’s game with Georgetown, but likely won’t be out for an extended period after suffering a shoulder injury in the team’s 80-68 win over Villanova, head coach Rick Pitino said.
“He was hit hard,” Pitino told reporters, via Jaden Daly. “I think it popped out, but it popped back in, so it’s not dislocated, it’s just very sore.
“He could miss the next game against Georgetown, but he won’t be out a long time.”
Smith left the game after the injury and then re-entered with his right shoulder and upper arm wrapped, but appeared unable to really pass the ball or use his right arm.
He scored 12 of St. John’s first 19 points before the injury and also added 4 rebounds.
For the season, he’s averaging 10.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists and has been key to helping the Red Storm play at an up-tempo pace.
DEIVON SMITH FOR THREEEEE pic.twitter.com/7g5mzLARuA
— St. John's Men’s Basketball (@StJohnsBBall) January 12, 2025
If St. John’s is fortunate to avoid a major injury to Smith, it would be especially important because he’s been playing well and the Red Storm don’t have the deepest bench.
Thanks to RJ Luis’ 30 points and 10 rebounds and Zuby Ejiofor’s 11 points and 9 rebounds, St. John’s improved to 14-3 on the season, and is 5-1 in the Big East for the first time in 24 years. They also moved to 11-0 at home, 2-0 at the Garden this season.
“It just goes to show the toughness we have as a group,” said sophomore guard Simeon Wilcher, who scored 6 points. “Although Deivon went down and how important he is to the team, we just felt like we had to gather it together even more. We just knew after the timeout, it was time for us to really hone in.”
Photo: @JohnniesTape
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