USC basketball: Arizona coach hopeful star forward Derrick Williams can play through injury

Arizona sophomore star forward Derrick Williams injured his right pinkie finger (that's on his shooting hand) against UCLA in the Wildcats' 85-74 win Thursday at the McKale Center here.

Arizona Coach Sean Miller said Friday that Williams' finger was bent back when he was fouled during the game, and that "it will get better incrementally."

It's unknown how Williams, who is quite adept at using both hands, will play Saturday night against USC, but his hand was swollen as of Friday afternoon.

"Hopefully, he'll be able to play through it," Miller said.

Williams, a former USC signee, leads Arizona in scoring (19.8 points per game), rebounding (7.9), steals (21 overall), free throws (a nation-leading 204 shots with 153 made), field-goal shooting (62.7%, 121 for 193) and three-point shooting (67.7%, 21 for 31).

-- Baxter Holmes in Tucson

Photo: Derrick Williams. Credit: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times