After a scary moment in the second half at State Farm Arena on Sunday afternoon, Johni Broome made it back onto the court to help lead Auburn into the Final Four.
The Tigers star left their 70-64 win over Michigan State midway through the second half with an arm injury. He seemed done for the game, and even said as much on the sidelines, but he returned with 5:29 left and hit a 3-pointer moments later to extend Auburn’s lead to 12 points. He then finished out the game as planned and helped get Auburn to its first Final Four since 2019.
“It is a scary moment. I went down, but my team had my back,” Broome said on CBS after the win. “I went to the locker room, I still watched the game and they kept it going, no drop-off. I came back, did whatever it takes to help my team win.”
What happened to Johni Broome?
Broome took a hard fall and remained sitting on the floor in pain for several minutes midway through the second half. He eventually stood up with help and walked to the locker room with the aid of trainers.
Advertisement
Broome landed hard on his right wrist and appeared to hyperextend his elbow on the fall. He also rolled his left ankle on the fall.
Broome appeared to say “I’m done” as he walked off the floor. He then shared a moment with his mother, who had walked from the stands to the floor to see him.
According to CBS’ Tracy Wolfson, Broome told Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl “no” when Pearl asked him if he was OK. She reported that the biggest concern is the injury to Broome’s elbow.
But X-rays in the locker room were negative, according to CBS, and Broome returned to make an immediate impact on the game.
He finished with 25 points and 14 rebounds in the win for the Tigers, which set up a battle with No. 1 Florida in the Final Four next weekend in San Antonio. Broome went 10-of-13 from the field and a perfect 2-of-2 from behind the arc.
Advertisement
Broome was one of just two Auburn players to hit double figures in the win. Tahaad Pettiford added 10 points off the bench. Jaxon Kohler led Michigan State with 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Jaden Akins added 15 points. Auburn opened the game on a 23-8 run while holding Michigan State without a field goal for nearly six full minutes to take control early. The Tigers then held on late to pick up the six-point win.
Specifics of Broome’s injury are not yet known. It’s also unclear if he’ll be able to play against Florida in the Final Four next weekend. Though he told Wolfson on the court after the win that he’d be ready to go, he was holding his elbow throughout the interview.
But despite the scare, Broome managed to return in time to ensure that the Tigers’ season continues. For now, that’s all that really matters.
