Just about everything has gone right for Michigan basketball this season, but there’s a chance the Wolverines could be shorthanded for their next game.
Star forward Yaxel Lendeborg was listed as questionable Monday, Jan. 5, as U-M preps for its visit to Penn State on Tuesday (7 p.m, FS1).
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Lendeborg left Friday’s 96-66 victory over USC just a few minutes into the second half with a left calf strain. Michigan coach Dusty May said Monday that Lendeborg felt good enough to go back in, but with the game already in hand, there wasn’t reason to chance it.
Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23), center, stretches from the bench during the second half against USC at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.
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While there doesn’t appear to be any long-term concern, Lendeborg still isn’t at 100% health.
“Yaxel is day-to-day,” May said. “He’s feeling much better. I would say he’ll be a game-time decision.”
Lendeborg ranks among the top two on the Wolverines in most stats, including points (15.1), rebounds (seven), assists (3.4), blocks (1.5) and steals (1.4). He also leads the team in playing time, averaging 26.4 minutes per game. The UAB transfer has not missed a game this season, but was limited in U-M’s season opener with an injury to his left hand that required him to wear a brace.
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“We’ll see how he goes today and then see how he feels tomorrow at shoot-around and then make the decision from there with the medical team,” May said Monday. “The trainers will tell me if he can go or he can’t and he’ll say whether he can go or he can’t.”
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Michigan got some good news on its other injury front, however: Nimari Burnett, who also left Friday’s game needing stitches above his left eye, is on track to play.
May said Monday he was a full participant in Sunday’s practice, and he was on the court shooting in the player development center when May held his weekly press conference.
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Burnett is averaging 8.2 points and 2.5 boards a game this season and shooting 37.8% on 3-pointers.
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Yaxel Lendeborg injury update: Michigan basketball star ‘day to day’
