Felix Okpara had started his first 56 games after transferring to Tennessee ahead of the 2024-25 season. But Okpara was unable to go as Tennessee defeated Auburn 77-69 on Saturday night in Knoxville.
The Vols originally did not list Okpara on the Friday night injury report but added him as a game-time decision pregame with the center not able to give it a go. What led to Okpara missing the game?
“Calf. He has some calf problems,” Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes said postgame. “Yesterday, it was after the Georgia game, he really got kicked there or whatever. But it was a calf.”
Okpara finished the Georgia game after suffering the injury and participated in Tennessee’s Friday practice though Barnes noted that it was a shorter one.
The lone returning starter from Tennessee’s Elite Eight team a season ago, Okpara is averaging 6.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 26.6 minutes per game this season. He played one of his better games of the year earlier this week against Georgia, totaling six points and 11 rebounds.
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With Okpara out, JP Estrella slid to the starting center spot and DeWayne Brown filled in as the starting power forward. Brown, who has started seven games this season, was struggling entering the Auburn game before turning in a strong performance with 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Estrella battled foul trouble throughout the night, totaling eight points and two rebounds in 16 minutes. But it was Brown (33 minutes) and Jaylen Carey (27 minutes) who played the most minutes against Auburn. Carey also bounced back from a rough two games, totaling 13 points and eight boards.
“They look like two SEC defensive ends out there that were just ducking in, and we just weren’t able to get around them,” Auburn head coach Steven Pearl said of Brown and Carey.
Tennessee hopes they will get Okpara back in the fold Tuesday night when they host Ole Miss in Knoxville. As a game-time decision against Auburn, Okpara’s injury does not appear to be overly serious. Tipoff between the Vols and Rebels is at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday night. ESPN2 is broadcasting the game.
