GREENVILLE, S.C. — Angel Reese could hardly put weight on her right ankle Friday after LSU beat Auburn 78-48 in the quarterfinal round of the Southeastern Conference tournament.

But the All-American forward said that she doesn’t plan to let the injury affect her status for the No. 2 Tigers’ Saturday semifinal game against No. 3 Ole Miss (6 p.m., ESPNU).

“I’m feeling good,” Reese told the SEC Network broadcast. “It’s OK. I mean, I roll my ankle all the time, so it’s fine.”

At one point of the win over Auburn, Reese had a trainer re-tape her ankle. At another, she rode the stationary bike behind the LSU bench to stay loose.

But Reese played 32 productive minutes anyway, posting an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double.

LSU is already shorthanded. Freshman Mikaylah Williams is healthy enough to play through nagging plantar fasciitis in her right foot, but coach Kim Mulkey has so far, held her out of SEC tournament action to make sure she’s healthy for the start of the NCAA Tournament.

Could Mulkey take a similar approach to managing Reese’s tender ankle? The LSU star doesn’t seem to think that she will.

BR.lsuauburn.022324 HS 861.jpg
LSU forward Angel Reese (10) goes up for the layup as Auburn center Savannah Scott (30) defends, Thursday, February 22, 2024, at the LSU PMAC in Baton Rouge, La.

STAFF PHOTO BY HILARY SCHEINUK

“I’m from Baltimore,” Reese said. “That’s what we do. I’m good.”

Read more: VIDEO: $1.7 million NIL-valued Angel Reese limps to sidelines after a painful ankle injury against Auburn

Auburn v LSU

During the game against Auburn, Angel Reese suffered an injury in the fourth quarter, requiring assistance to reach the stationary bike as LSU fans watched their star player. Despite the injury, none of LSU’s starters returned to the game, and the team won by 30 points. Reese, valued at $1.7 million, remained on the bench to support her teammates until the end of the game.

The injury occurred in the final 6:40 minutes of the fourth quarter, with LSU leading Auburn 71-37. Reese seemed to step on an Auburn player’s foot, causing her to favor her left foot and put less pressure on her right. She quickly moved to the stationary bike behind the LSU bench, visibly in pain, while Coach Kim Mulkey expressed concern about her condition.

In a postgame interview with Brooke Weisbrod of SEC Network, Reese appeared unconcerned about her injury, stating, “I’m feeling good. It’s okay. I roll my ankle all the time, so it’s fine.” Her injury came just after recording her 21st double-double of the season, with 11 rebounds and 18 points. Mulkey substituted the starters with under two minutes remaining, and Reese returned to the bench.