Is Mikel Brown Jr. playing vs Cal? Latest injury update on Louisville's star PG

Louisville basketball returns to action after having 10 days off for the holiday break. The No. 16 Louisville Cardinals will take on the Cal Golden Bears in their first ACC matchup. Louisville went 10-2 in its non-conference schedule and is expected to be one of the top teams in the ACC for the second straight season. The Cards finished second in the conference last year, posted an 18-2 conference record, and made a run to the ACC Championship.

Louisville fans received an update on some key players ahead of tonight's matchup with Cal. The Cards learned that star point guard Mikel Brown Jr. is probable and will most likely play in his ACC debut, while Kasean Pryor is listed as out.

Related: Pat Kelsey gives gray injury update on Mikel Brown Jr. after Louisville loss

Mikel Brown Jr. listed as probable ahead of ACC debut

Brown missed the last two games for the Louisville Cardinals with back pain, including the Cards' showdown with Tennessee. Louisville went 1-1 in its two games without its Preseason All-ACC guard, losing by 21 to Tennessee but bouncing back to defeat Montana by 40.

Brown is a key player for the Cards, averaging the second-most points at 16.2 and leading the team in assists per game at 5.1. He will likely return to action tonight after missing the last two games and make his long-awaited ACC debut. Entering the season, he was on the Preseason All-ACC First Team, and now the Cards will start their ACC Title run with him leading the way.

As for Pryor, he has been recovering from his ACL injury a year ago, trying to get back to his old self, and was also in concussion protocol earlier this season. The power forward is seeing just about 8.2 minutes per game so far and averaging 3.1 points. This will be his fourth missed game of the season.

For all the latest news and updates on Louisville basketball's 2025-26 season and recruiting, stay tuned.