Auburn could be without its starting small forward when it hosts Mississippi State at Neville Arena on Saturday.

Chris Moore, who is dealing with a right shoulder injury and underwent an MRI on Wednesday, did not practice with the team Thursday, and coach Bruce Pearl said he did not anticipate Moore practicing Friday afternoon. The No. 21 Tigers (13-3, 3-1 SEC) host the Bulldogs (12-4, 1-3) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, with the game airing on SEC Network.

Read more Auburn basketball: Wendell Green Jr. ‘feeling good’ about his game, and suddenly, so is No. 21 Auburn basketball

A rare early timeout proves pivotal for No. 21 Auburn basketball in win at Ole Miss

Johni Broome opens SEC play with dominant stretch inside for Auburn

Moore left Tuesday’s game at Ole Miss early in the first half after injuring his right shoulder in the game’s opening minutes. He did not return to the game, which Auburn went on to win 82-73, and he spent the second half on the bench with his right arm in a sling, with the team ruling him out after halftime.

Moore exited the floor less than three minutes into the game after sustaining the injury, and he clutched his right shoulder as he went to the bench to get checked out by the team trainer. The 6-foot-6 junior has started all 16 games for Auburn this season while averaging a career-best six points and 2.7 rebounds per game.

“If he can’t, it’ll be next man up,” Pearl said. “Certainly, Chris has been a huge part of our team, our chemistry. He’s a loud voice and a physical presence. It’ll be next man up.”

With Moore’s status up in the air, senior wing Allen Flanigan — who has averaged 33 minutes per game the last two times out — said he is prepared to take on a larger role at the three if needed. Flanigan is enjoying his best stretch of basketball since his sophomore season, prior to the Achilles injury that impacted his junior campaign, averaging14.7 points and shooting 51.6 percent (16-of-31) from the field, including 36.3 percent (4-of-11) from deep.

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.