Tennessee senior forward Josiah-Jordan James is officially day-to-day with a left ankle sprain after exiting the Vols’ loss at Vanderbilt in the final minute, a Tennessee spokesperson informed the local media Friday afternoon.
Barnes said as much immediately following the rivalry loss Wednesday night and provided a brief update when meeting with the local media Friday.
“I haven’t heard today,” Barnes said. “He was walking around yesterday with a boot on and we’ll see today once we see what happens in practice.”
James has battled injuries all season, missing eight games with a left knee injury that plagued him in the preseason all the way until the start of the new year when new medicine and treatment led to James finding the court on a more consistent basis.
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The senior wing has been inconsistent on the offensive end this season while his usual stellar self elsewhere. James is averaging 9.5 points per game on 38% shooting from the field and 30% shooting from three-point range. The Charleston native has struggled from the perimeter as late, shooting two-of-24 from three-point range in his last five games.
James has added a team-best 5.3 rebounds as well as 1.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
While Barnes nor Tennessee ruled out James availability against Missouri, the Vols could be without one of their top players and veteran leaders as they look to rebound from their recent poor stretch of play.
Tennessee returns to the court Saturday night against Missouri. Tip-off at Thompson-Boling Arena is at 6 p.m. ET. Kevin Fitzgerald and Perry Clark are on the call for the SEC Network.
