The top-ranked Auburn Tigers suffered a road loss to No. 22 Texas A&M while missing their starting point guard, Denver Jones. With his absence felt, the question remains—how soon will he return?
Auburn secured the SEC regular-season title with a victory over Kentucky on Saturday, but the win came at a cost. Jones exited the game after just eight minutes due to injury. Following the game, head coach Bruce Pearl reassured that there was no fracture and expressed optimism that Jones wouldn’t be side lined for long.
However, two days of rest weren’t enough, as Jones was unavailable for Auburn’s 83-72 loss at Texas A&M on Tuesday. Given the significance of upcoming games, there was little reason to rush him back. Still, Pearl emphasized that the decision wasn’t about holding Jones out but rather his physical readiness. Jones was close to playing against the Aggies but ultimately wasn’t able to suit up.
“We really missed his defense and leadership,” Pearl said postgame. “He just couldn’t go. We’re not saving him—if he could’ve played, he would have. It was a game-time decision. I was hoping he could play through the pain since there’s no break or bone bruise. It’s a soft tissue issue, and it’s painful. He just didn’t feel like he could push off the floor. Hopefully, he improves soon.”
Jones’s style of play makes his recovery particularly crucial. His defensive skills resemble a cornerback in football, relying heavily on lateral quickness and change of direction.
Pearl highlighted his importance, noting, “I feel like he’s the best defensive guard in our league. Last year, A&M had just 22 points at halftime at our place, and Wade Taylor struggled to score. Denver’s the best one-on-one defender I’ve got.”
While Jones’s absence was significant, it wasn’t the sole reason for Auburn’s loss. Pearl acknowledged that Texas A&M physically overpowered them, particularly on the boards. The Aggies dominated with 24 offensive rebounds, nearly matching Auburn’s total rebounds (25), leading to 29 second-chance points—an uncharacteristic lapse in intensity from the Tigers.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s season finale against Alabama, the stakes may not be high for tournament seeding, but Auburn will want to avoid a repeat of Tuesday’s lack luster performance. The Tigers have a chance to secure their third consecutive win over Alabama, a feat they haven’t accomplished since 2010. The hope is that Denver Jones will be back in action when the game tips off at 1:30 p.m. CT in Auburn.
