San Diego State expects Magoon Gwath to return for Saturday night’s home game against Nevada after missing the past six games with a hip injury.
“Magoon has practiced for two days and he’s looked pretty good,” SDSU coach Brian Dutcher said before Friday’s workout at Viejas Arena. “Based on how he does today, we’ll determine whether we use him (for significant) minutes or not. That could be anything from starting or coming off the bench.
“There’s, obviously, rehab shape and game shape. We’ll take great caution in having him back.”
Getting the 7-foot sophomore forward back is welcome news for SDSU, which has been thankful for its depth while missing two starters in recent weeks. The Aztecs (17-6, 11-2 Mountain West) have gone 4-2 in Gwath’s absence, losing road games to Grand Canyon and Utah State.
Dutcher said injured freshman guard Elzie Harrington, who has missed the past four games with a lower leg injury, will be sidelined for another week.
“Elzie wants to play,” Dutcher said, “but out of an abundance of caution, we will hold him out probably two more games and have him back on the road against Colorado State.”
Gwath had an 18-point, eight-rebound performance Jan. 14 against Fresno State, then tweaked his hip four days later at Wyoming and made it worse the following game against New Mexico.
He has been sidelined ever since. This, after starting to round into form following six months recovering in the offseason from surgery to repair his right knee.
Gwaith is averaging 9.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this season.
“We’re a better team with him,” Dutcher said. “Hopefully, he comes back, gets his timing and his rhythm back right away and will make a big difference down the stretch.”
Dutcher noted that Gwath is no longer wearing the cumbersome brace he has worn to protect his knee.
“That makes a huge difference,” Dutcher said. “He’s moving really well with the hip feeling better and the knee brace off. Hopefully, that carries over into some game play as we close it out.”
Elzie Harrington #3 of San Diego State takes a shot against Cole Farrell #10 of Long Beach State at Viejas Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Harrington, who moved into the starting lineup six games into the season, will be especially missed for Tuesday’s home game against Grand Canyon. Harrington scored a team-high 16 points for the Aztecs in a 70-69 loss 3 1/2 weeks ago, and is averaging 8.4 points per game this season.
“He wants to play and probably could play,” Dutcher said, “but someone has to err on the side of caution. We’ll give him another week to try to heal up.”