UNLV’s Winning Streak Raises Questions About Losing Star Guard D.J. Thomas

Las Vegas, Nevada — The UNLV Rebels have won three consecutive games since losing star guard D.J. Thomas to a shoulder injury on Feb. 15, prompting questions about the team’s true identity without its leading playmaker. The Rebels’ recent success, including convincing home victories against UNR and San Diego State, has put them in a strong position heading into the Mountain West Tournament.

Thomas, a sophomore who led the team in scoring, assists, and minutes, has been a cornerstone of the program for two years. However, his absence appears to have allowed other players to step up. UNLV currently stands at 3-1 without Thomas, showcasing a newfound depth that has caught the attention of fans and analysts.

Head coach Kevin Kruger credits the team’s recent success to not trying to replace Thomas but instead maintaining a core group of seven contributors to mitigate his absence. Junior wing Jaden Henley and senior forward Jalen Hill have taken over many of the responsibilities that once fell to Thomas, such as ball-handling and scoring, while senior wing Julian Rishwain has stepped up with outside shooting.

“New guys are stepping up and hitting big shots,” Rishwain said after their latest victory. “Everyone is elevating their game in a positive way, and we’re winning these games. It’s a new look on the Rebels, and we’re figuring it out.”

Henley’s transformation has been particularly notable. Averaging just 11.4 points and 1.1 assists over his first 21 games, Henley has exploded for an average of 20.7 points and 4.0 assists since Thomas’ injury. After a challenging game against Colorado State where Henley scored only one point, he quickly adjusted, showing his growth and confidence on the court.

Hill commended Henley’s development, saying, “His confidence is great right now. After that struggling game, he knew what he had to do. I love the way he’s playing right now.”

The recent shift in team dynamics has resulted from necessity, as junior guard Jace Whiting was expected to back up Thomas but has been sidelined with a foot injury since the season’s second game. With the loss of Whiting and no additional scholarship guards available on the bench, Kruger has streamlined the rotation to eight players, which has led to increased familiarity and chemistry among teammates.

UNLV’s lineup now features a notable reduction in combinations. In the previous four games with Thomas available, there were an average of 14.3 different lineup combinations per contest, with Kruger making 23.3 substitutions and average five-man “shifts” lasting 98 seconds. With Thomas out, the team is now averaging 8.0 lineups and 19.3 subs, increasing shift times to 119 seconds, allowing effective line-ups to remain on the court longer.

While the reliance on fewer rotations can lead to concerns over fatigue, Kruger sees potential benefits in the developing chemistry due to extended playtime. “It certainly can have a positive effect,” he said. “It’s about finding that comfort and rhythm on the court, which has been evident in our last couple of games.”

Despite the success, questions remain about whether this strategy will prove sustainable in the long run. Tuesday’s game against San Diego State saw the current starting lineup, including sophomore Brooklyn Hicks filling in for Thomas, log 15:39 together on the court — a significant amount of time compared to previous games.

As the team focuses on the upcoming conference tournament, they acknowledge the challenge ahead. Rishwain noted, “Backs against the wall, we’ve got seven or eight dudes playing. No one really thinks we’re going to win these games, but we’re building momentum going into the conference tournament and into our next game.”