PJ Haggerty injury update: Kansas State star reportedly a game-time decision vs. rival Kansas

Kansas State star PJ Haggerty is a game-time decision for Saturday’s regular season final against Kansas, Wildcats interim coach Matt Driscoll told CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. Haggerty averages 23.3 points per game this season.

His injury and its severity are undisclosed, but Rothstein revealed that Haggerty was able to practice on Friday. Now, he’ll be evaluated ahead of tip-off, which is set for 2 p.m. ET on CBS.

If he’s unable to go, Kansas State won’t just be without the third-highest-scoring player in the country. Haggerty leads the team in rebounds (5.3) and is second on the team in assists per game (4.0).

He scored 23 points, five rebounds and four assists in Kansas State’s 86-62 loss to KU earlier in the season. Haggerty was one of two Wildcats to score in double figures on the night.

Kansas State’s second-highest scorer is junior Abdi Bashir Jr., who averages 13.2 points per game. However, he hasn’t played since mid-January after having to undergo surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot. He was slated to miss four-six weeks in recovery, which was a massive blow for the Wildcats as the Monmouth transfer is one of the best 3-point shooters in the country at 44.4%.

Senior guard Nate Johnson would be the go-to option on the scoring end for Kansas State without either. He’s the next highest-scorer at 12.3 points per game, and with 30 starts under his belt this season — it’s clear the Wildcats are comfortable with the ball in his hands.

Johnson also averages 4.9 rebounds and leads the Wildcats with 4.7 assists. His 2.3 steal per game is tied for sixth-best in the country heading into the final game of the regular season.

Either way, Kansas State will put an end to a regular season that fell well under expectations. Following the controversial firing of former head coach Jerome Tang, Kansas State enters Saturday with a 12-18 record, including a 3-14 mark against the Big 12 Conference.

Their season will continue in next week’s conference tournament, but unless the Wildcats pull off a miracle, Kansas State will begin its search for a new head coach sooner rather than later.