Syracuse Orange star will miss the upcoming game due to a left-hand injury suffered during practice earlier this week. He has been a key player for Syracuse this season, averaging 19.8 points per game and contributing heavily to rebounds and assists. The injury has left him sidelined indefinitely, a big blow to the squad as it navigates a difficult schedule.
He was seen wearing a cast on his left hand on the team’s recent trip to Tennessee, where his absence was already noticeable. Syracuse will need to modify their lineup, with guys like Elijah Moore and Chance Westry expected to step up in his place.
The team hopes to manage his absence effectively, but his return date remains uncertain, leaving Syracuse in a tough spot as they prepare for upcoming matchups
According to the announcement, Starling received the injury during Monday’s practice and was unable to traveled to Knoxville with the team.
Syracuse opened as a 19.5-point underdog (ESPN) versus the Vols before Starling’s injury was announced.
Syracuse radio play-by-play announcer Matt Park reports that Starling’s hand is broken and will keep him out indefinitely.
J.J. Starling leads the Orange with 19.8 points per game, is fourth in rebounding (4.5 per game), and third in assists (3.0).
He has only missed 12% of Syracuse’s minutes this season, so the team will have to mix and match, fielding lineups that haven’t played much together.
Freshman Elijah Moore had his finest game of the season last Wednesday against Cornell and will likely play a larger role in Starling’s absence. Furthermore, with the backcourt depth chart thinning, Chance Westry may be forced to play in his Syracuse debut.
Looking ahead, SU will face Notre Dame in South Bend on Saturday, followed by home games against UAlbany and Georgetown. That’s followed by another journey to Brooklyn to face Maryland just before Christmas.
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