UConn basketball entered 2025 with a major injury scare. Star forward Liam McNeeley left his New Year’s contest against DePaul early.

McNeeley cautiously prevailed against the Big East Conference foe, while The Field of 68’s Rob Dauster captured the worrisome moment for the Huskies.

“Liam McNeeley appeared to twist an ankle after a collision with a DePaul player,” Dauster posted on X. “He was able to (carefully) walk off the field back to the locker room.”

The 6-foot-2 forward entered Wednesday averaging 13.9 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game.

McNeeley scored more than 14 points in his last three games before DePaul. That includes his 26-point outburst against No. 8 Gonzaga on Dec. 14.

Did Liam McNeeley finish the game with UConn?

UConn and head coach Dan Hurley had to continue without the standout 19-year-old for most of the second half.

However, one Huskies fan took this cathartic picture of McNeeley. He returned to court.

UConn entered the contest on a six-game winning streak. They beat DePaul 81-68.

But there was something even more remarkable about McNeeley. He was seen with a boot over his right foot, according to UConn basketball beat reporter David Borges of CT Insider.

Connecticut jumped out to a 43-22 first-half lead to open the conference showdown. McNeeley cut inside and scored the Huskies’ second basket with a layup, making it 4-0. He later hit a three-point attempt from long range that increased the lead to 21-10. At 4:55, McNeeley hit another three-pointer to make the score 31-18.

However, the latter three-pointer was his last point of the day. McNeeley finished the contest with nine points. He played a total of 25 minutes for the Huskies.

Solo Ball led UConn with 22 points. Alex Karaban added 18 points. Samson Johnson dropped 10 points as the last UConn player to score in double figures. Johnson also blocked the ball twice to give the defense the lead.

However, McNeeley’s future status became a topic of concern and discussion for UConn. The now 11-3 Huskies play again on Sunday against Providence in Storrs – with McNeeley suddenly a question mark for the Big East showdown.