Grant Nelson leaves SEC Tournament semifinals with injury

Grant Nelson is Alabama’s impressive and versatile big man. Unfortunately, it’s uncertain if he’ll be able to return to Saturday’s semifinals at the SEC Tournament.

Alabama and Florida are battling it out for a chance to advance to Sunday’s tournament championship in Nashville. The first 20 minutes of the game did not disappoint with the Gators carrying a 47-45 lead into halftime.

During that first half, Nelson was largely electric. He scored 9 points (4-for-7 from the field) to tie for the team-high mark for Alabama and delivered one of the best posters you’ll see all postseason long.

Unfortunately, the ESPN broadcast revealed right before halftime that Nelson had sustained a left leg injury in the contest. The star big man was listed as questionable to return, and that’s a major deal for the Crimson Tide.

Nelson is Alabama’s 2nd-leading scorer and leads the team in rebounds and blocks. He is able to stretch the floor as well and was 1-for-3 from beyond the arc in the first half against the Gators.

Facing Florida’s deep frontcourt that includes Alex Condon, Rueben Chinyelu, Thomas Haugh and Micah Handlogten, Nelson’s 6-foot-11 frame is particularly important on the defensive end of the court. We’ll see if Nelson can return at any point in the 2nd half and what that might mean for his status throughout March Madness.

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.