St. John’s guard Deivon Smith suffered a shoulder injury but is not expected to be sidelined for long, according to head coach Rick Pitino after their recent game.
Smith collided with Villanova’s Wooga Poplar while trying to make a play, and he immediately grabbed his shoulder in pain. The crowd of 18,178 held its breath as he left the court. After the game, Coach Rick Pitino shared that Smith’s shoulder “popped out and popped back in,” but thankfully, it wasn’t dislocated. X-rays were negative, and it seems he won’t need an MRI.
Pitino mentioned that Smith might miss the upcoming game against Georgetown but expects him back soon. Before his injury, Smith was leading the team with 12 points, shooting well from the field. His teammates felt his absence, with Simeon Wilcher noting how much Smith means to the team.
Smith did try to return in the second half, sporting a wrap around his shoulder, but he only lasted three minutes before being pulled again. He wanted to help, especially since the team was short on subs, but he just couldn’t shoot effectively. Pitino reassured everyone that Smith is tough and will be okay. It’s clear that the team is rallying around him during this time.
