Three takeaways from Kentucky basketball's injury-fueled loss at No. 2 Auburn

Injuries derailed No. 12 Kentucky basketball's chance at an upset of No. 2 Auburn in what ended up an 80-71 loss.

An early 13-0 run helped Kentucky silence a raucous crowd to jump out to a 19-9 lead just more than seven minutes into the game. An injury to freshman guard TyTy Washington midway through the second half cause a noticeable dip in form to the offense though, and Auburn took advantage of a three-minute stint in the second half when point guard Sahvir Wheeler was temporarily sidelined by an injury.

Auburn took its first lead since early in the game with three free throws with 14:50 remaining and never trailed again.

"Obviously you can’t ignore (the injuries)," super senior guard Kellan Grady said. "We’re our best team when we have our entire team, but even with that said we had our opportunities. It was a winnable game. I think we should have won the game, but they made more plays, crucial plays, big shots."

Auburn forward Walker Kessler, who was briefly connected to Kentucky as a possible transfer candidate in the offseason, led the Tigers with 19 points and seven rebounds. Possible 2022 NBA Draft No. 1 pick Jabari Smith added 14 points and seven rebounds for the Tigers.

Kentucky was led by Wheeler, who totaled 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Junior forward Oscar Tshiebwe recorded a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Grady added 17 points.

Highlights from the game: No. 12 Kentucky vs. No. 2 Auburn live basketball updates, scores and highlights

TyTy Washington sidelined by ankle injury

Kentucky had to play the final 28 minutes of the game without Washington, who was sidelined by a left ankle injury with 8:20 left in the first half. It played the last 11:38 without Wheeler after he was injured on a blindside screen for the second time this season.

Washington required the help of a trainer and UK teammate to limp off the court after landing awkwardly when he made a floater in the lane to give UK a 25-16 lead. Replays showed Washington roll his left ankle on the landing.

UK announced at halftime that Washington would not return to the game due to a left ankle injury.

"They made plays," Kentucky coach John Calipari said. "The guy that usually makes plays for us in those situations is TyTy, and he was out."

A projected first-round pick in the 2022 NBA draft, Washington ranks second on UK's team in scoring (14.2 points per game) and assists (82). He had contributed four points, one assist and one steal at the time of his injury.

Without Washington, Kentucky's offense struggled at times with three shot-clock violations. The issue was compounded when Wheeler was temporarily sidelined in the second half after a hard collision on a blindside block similar to the one at LSU that cost him most of three games due to a neck injury.

While Wheeler was in the locker room, Auburn outscored Kentucky 7-1, turning a four-point lead into a 10-point one. UK pulled as close as four points, but Wheeler was sidelined again in the final minutes by another collision.

Calipari had no update on either players status after the game.

"At the end of the day, I’m coaching someone’s child," he said. "If (Wheeler) can’t play this week and TyTy can’t play this week, they’re hurt, they can’t play. Now you have other guys that get a chance to step up and show what they are or what they’re not."

Rebounding machine: Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky and how the nation's top rebounding team turns boards into points

Auburn dominates at the free throw line

Among the most important stats in the game was a 19-shot difference in free throw attempts.

Auburn converted 24 of its 29 attempts at the charity stripe. It made 21 of 23 attempts in the second half.

Kentucky made eight of its 10 free-throw attempts but was unable to reach the line nearly as often as Auburn. Among the issues were three fouls of 3-point shooters by the Wildcats.

Auburn was whistled for 12 fouls in the game, compared to 20 for Kentucky. UK forward Jacob Toppin fouled out with 2:10 remaining.

Kentucky basketball: John Calipari says Shaedon Sharpe plans on returning to UK instead of entering draft

Auburn takes control of SEC race

With the win, Auburn seized control of the SEC race. The Tigers are undefeated (7-0) in SEC play. Kentucky dropped to two games behind Auburn in the standings.

Since the two teams do not meet again in the regular season, Kentucky will need help from others to claw back in to the race for the regular season championship. Kentucky still has difficult road games at Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas and Florida remaining too.

Many of Auburn's most difficult remaining games are at home, but the Tigers must still play at Tennessee, Florida and Mississippi State.

"I hope we matchup against them again, probably SEC Tournament, when everybody will be healthy and ready to go," Tshiebwe said. "...I don’t think they’re better than us, for my opinion. I think we’re going to beat them. I want to play them again, I want to see them."

Email Jon Hale at jahale@courier-journal.com; Follow him on Twitter at @JonHale_CJ.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky basketball vs. Auburn: Injuries derail Wildcats in loss