The race for sixth place has taken one other hit, with the New Zealand Breakers confirming their All-NBL calibre large man will miss 6-8 weeks.
All of this and extra within the newest NBL Day by day.
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BREAKERS DEALT INJURY BLOW WITH BIG MAN TO MISS 6-8 WEEKS
The race for sixth place on the NBL ladder has taken one other unlucky flip, with the New Zealand Breakers confirming Sam Mennenga has been dominated out for 6-8 weeks with a wrist fracture.
The membership launched an announcement following the sport, with Breakers President of Basketball Operations Dillon Boucher confirming the severity of the harm and the anticipated restoration timeline.
“Sam sustained a wrist fracture following a heavy fall within the fourth quarter,” Boucher stated.
“Sadly, he might be out for 6-8 weeks to permit the bone time to heal.”
Put up-game X-rays confirmed the fracture, with Mennenga set to endure an MRI on Tuesday to evaluate whether or not there may be any extra harm.
The harm is a big blow for the Breakers, with Mennenga within the midst of an All-NBL calibre season in NBL26. In his third season, the ahead has been averaging profession highs throughout the board, posting 17.2 factors, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists per sport whereas capturing an environment friendly 51 per cent from the sector.
The Breakers are additionally managing issues round Max Darling, who has been taking part in via a fractured eye socket whereas carrying a protecting masks.
“Max will endure an MRI to evaluate harm to his knee sustained throughout the identical interval,” Boucher stated.
“He has proven true toughness to maintain taking part in via his accidents.”
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These setbacks come on high of the season-ending ACL harm to Rob Baker II, suffered at NBL HoopsFest, additional complicating the Breakers’ push to safe the ultimate playoff spot.
Whereas the deadline for changing injured gamers has handed, NBL guidelines do enable golf equipment to use for an exemption in distinctive circumstances, with the league holding discretion over whether or not a late registration is authorised.
Addressing the state of affairs, membership proprietor and chairman Marc Mitchell stated the Breakers would assess their choices whereas remaining centered on outcomes.
“The membership will consider its roster choices over the approaching days,” Mitchell stated.
“Though NBL guidelines limit the signing of replacements at this level within the season, we stay 100 per cent centered on profitable and can proceed to struggle with the squad we’ve got.”
With the Tasmania JackJumpers additionally dropping a number of gamers to harm this spherical, the race for sixth place is shaping as one of the vital unpredictable and attritional finishes to the season.