Indiana basketball releases injury report ahead of matchup with Purdue

The Indiana basketball program hits the hardwood for game number 24 of the 2023-24 season on Saturday night and released its official injury report this afternoon.

The Big Ten began with its weekly availability report for football this season and announced that it would be conducting the same schedule with basketball. It was announced that programs will have to release their injury reports three hours before tip.

For Indiana, its injury report listed guard Xavier Johnson (elbow) as out and forward Kel’el Ware (knee) as questionable.

Johnson exited in the second half of Indiana’s win over Iowa last Tuesday after taking a hard fall on his elbow. This is the second-straight game he’s missed.

On Saturday, Johnson was seen with a bulky brace on his elbow.

Xavier Johnson, the sixth-year point guard, has had a very disappointing season — both from a health and production standpoint. He is averaging just 8.3 points and 2.1 assists — both career lows — in 14 games. Johnson missed seven games earlier this season with a foot injury.

Since his return, he has averaged just 6.6 points on 34.8 percent shooting. He also has 17 turnovers to just 16 assists.

“I don’t know when X is going to be back,” Indiana basketball head coach Mike Woodson said following IU’s win over Ohio State on Tuesday. “He’s doubtful (right now). I don’t know how long, really. I don’t.”

For Ware, the 7-foot center exited the end of IU’s win over Ohio State with a knee injury. With three seconds left in the second half, he went up for an open layup but lost the ball halfway up when his knee buckled on him.

“Well, we had to give him the day off yesterday (Wednesday), so he basically went through treatment,” Woodson said on Thursday. “I’ll know more today when we practice to see where he is.”

Ware is averaging 14.8 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game this season for Indiana. He’s also shooting 55.3 percent from the field and 42.9 percent (12-of-28) from three.

He has consistently been one of the strongest and most effective players on the floor — on both ends.

He has nine double-doubles in 20 games this season, including scoring in double-figures in 16 games.

In Big Ten play alone, Ware is averaging 14.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.

Indiana basketball takes on Purdue at 8:00 pm ET on FOX.

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