“You suck.” Those were the blunt words Kim Mulkey had for Flau’Jae Johnson earlier this season—a tough-love wake-up call from a coach who demands the best. But as LSU battled past NC State, 80-73, in the Sweet 16, Johnson’s struggles resurfaced at the worst possible time. She shot just 1-of-8 in 30 minutes, managing only three points—eerily mirroring her February 28 slump against Alabama. The numbers were alarming, but what Mulkey revealed after the game was even more concerning.
Johnson had already been dealing with shin splints, which had limited her in previous games. However, after the Sweet 16 win, Mulkey provided another unexpected update regarding her availability moving forward. According to LSU women’s basketball reporter Cory Diaz, when asked whether Johnson’s status was in jeopardy, Mulkey explained:
“I haven’t been told she can’t play. I didn’t see it. I don’t know if she got poked in the eye, hit in the—I don’t know. I just know I was getting ready to put her back in the game, and I turned around, and they said they won’t let her go back in the game because she’s seeing double, like double vision a little bit. So we just went with Miracle [Sheppard] defensively and KG [Kailyn Gilbert] offensively. But I haven’t asked. They haven’t come up to me, you know, all worried or anything like that. So, yeah, I anticipate she will be good to go.”
Here’s what Kim Mulkey said after tonight’s Sweet 16 win over NC State about Flau’jae Johnson and her availability ahead of #LSU‘s Elite Eight matchup with the winner of Ole Miss/UCLA Sunday night. pic.twitter.com/hCQ8QJTJDI
— Cory Diaz (@ByCoryDiaz) March 29, 2025
The uncertainty surrounding Johnson’s health adds another layer of concern as LSU prepares for its next matchup. Though the Tigers found a way to close out NC State, Johnson’s struggles were evident, raising questions about how effective she can be moving forward.
More to follow…..
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