Lester Quinones is expected to miss at least the next three weeks after breaking a bone in his hand on Saturday, Memphis confirmed on Monday.
The injury occurred in the first half of Memphis’ win over Ole Miss. Quinones got caught up on a screen and was immediately removed from the game in pain. He did not return to the court.
“I just know that Lester’s a very tough kid and for him not to come back into the game, that’s not good,” head coach Penny Hardaway said after the game. “I don’t know what the verdict is. But for him not to come back, there has to be something wrong with him.”
The injury is to Quinones’ shooting hand. He’s averaging 10.3 points, 3.5 boards and 3.0 assists this season for the Tigers, who are 5-1 despite playing half of their games without James Wiseman. He’s only shooting 24 percent from three on the season to day, but he entered his freshman season with the reputation for being the best shooter in this Memphis class.
Memphis’ next game is against N.C. State in Brooklyn on Thanksgiving night.