What happened to Brayden Burries? Arizona star guard heads to locker room vs. Iowa State

No. 2 Arizona Wildcats had a brief scare during their Big 12 showdown against No. 6 Iowa State Cyclones on Monday night when star freshman guard Brayden Burries went down with an apparent ankle injury.

The incident occurred midway through the game when Burries, after a play under the rim, turned to sprint back on defense and accidentally stepped on a teammate’s foot. His right ankle visibly rolled, and the 6-foot-4 guard immediately hit the floor. Trainers rushed over as Burries stretched his legs out while his ankle was examined.

Brayden Burries Injury Status

The good news for Arizona is that Burries did not appear to be in severe discomfort. He walked off the floor without noticeable limping, and within minutes he returned to the bench.



This marks the second ankle tweak in recent days for Burries, as he had also twisted his ankle in a previous game over the weekend. Despite that, there was no immediate indication of a serious setback.

On the season, Burries leads Arizona in scoring, averaging 15.7 points per game while adding 4.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.6 steals. His presence has been central to Arizona’s push toward a Big 12 title and national championship contention.

Will Brayden Burries Return?

As of now, Burries’ brief return to the bench suggests the injury may not be long-term. He appeared ready to check back into the game if needed, signaling optimism from the coaching staff.



Arizona has proven it can weather short-term absences as seen earlier this season when Koa Peat missed three games and the Wildcats still defeated ranked opponents. However, Burries remains the main offensive player of the team.

With March Madness approaching and Arizona listed among national title favorites, the Wildcats will likely take a cautious approach if there is any lingering soreness. Early signs, though, point toward a minor ankle roll rather than a significant issue.

Brayden Burries gets Freshman of the Week award

Burries was named National Freshman of the Week. He averaged 22.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists in wins over Baylor and Kansas, helping Arizona clinch a share of the Big 12 regular-season crown.


He followed that stretch with another strong outing as Arizona secured the outright conference title by defeating Iowa State. Burries has now logged 10 games of 20 or more points this season, solidifying his place among the top freshman guards in the country.

While Arizona fans may have feared the worst when he hit the deck, Burries’ quick return to the bench offers reassurance. For now, the Wildcats’ title hopes remain firmly intact provided their star guard stays healthy heading into March.



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