Kentucky women's basketball was rolling. Tonie Morgan hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to deliver the knockout blow to an undefeated LSU team on the road. They were well on the way to knocking off Missouri to start 2-0 in the SEC and move to 15-1 on the season. Then, on a loose ball, Teonni Key awkwardly hit the ground, and the results were devastating.
Teonni Key dislocates elbow in win over Missouri
On a potential rebound Key and Missouri players went into the corner to try and corral the ball. Key would get the worst of it, which you can partially see here:
Teonni Key suffers what appears to be an ankle injury while going for a loose ball in the third quarter.
— Connor Sturgill (@SturgillSports) January 4, 2026
No fouls were called during the play @FOX56News #BBN pic.twitter.com/ztvejTKj4B
After the game, Kenny Brooks would confirm that she had dislocated her elbow, but he didn't have any further updates. On his coaching show Monday, Brooks was asked about Teonni Key, and he provided a hopeful update:
"Teonni is in wonderful spirits. I talked to her last night; she was a little drugged up, so she was up and down. They say all things look pretty good. She should return. It could be a couple of weeks, it could be a little longer."Kenny Brooks
Typically, a dislocated elbow is a 3-6 week injury if there are only minor complications with the nerves. If there are complications with the nerves or long-term complications, it could be several months before someone recovers. That is where the should return comes in.
If the injury was on the minor side, she could theoretically be back by Valentine's Day and well before March Madness. If however, the injury is more severe than anticipated, she could be out the rest of the season.
The good news is that for now, it looks like it is on the minor side and she should be back, but also, Kentucky has real depth to help offset her huge absence. McDonald's All-American freshman Kaelyn Carroll is a 6'3 option that gives Kentucky a different look. She doesn't rebound like Teonni, let's be honest, few do, but she brings better outside shooting, and a more guard-like approach to the floor.
You also have Australian Amelia Hassett, who can help absorb some of Key's minutes. She, too, brings a little more offensive threat from the outside, but doesn't rebound nearly as well. That rebounding will be picked up by do-it-all sensation Clara Strack, who is one of the best players in all of college basketball.
The Cats are back in action Thursday night down in Tuscaloosa against Alabama, a game on the SEC Network+.