Round 2 of the NBL26 season is here and we at Fox Sports have listed every injury heading into the weekend.
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ADELAIDE 36ERS
1. Ben Griscti | 211CM | 120KG | CENTRE | 23 YRS
Injury: Neck
Current status: Out for the season.
Notes: During the NBL Blitz, Ben Griscti suffered an unfortunate accident where a basketball ring collapsed on top of him, causing a fractured vertebrae. Although surgery was not required, he is not expected to play in NBL26.
BRISBANE BULLETS
1. Mitch Norton | 184CM | 90KG | GUARD | 32 YRS
Injury: Knee
Current Status: TBD
Notes: Mitch Norton suffered what looked to be a season-ending knee injury during Brisbane’s game against New Zealand. However, recent reports by coach Stu Lash have indicated that Norton’s injury is better than first thought. The team is yet to confirm an official diagnosis, but there is a good indication that we’ll see Norton suit up again this season.
CAIRNS TAIPANS
1. Sam Waardenburg | 208CM | 100KG | FORWARD | 26 YRS
Injury: Ankle
Current Status: Out for 3 Months
Notes: Cairns’ star player Sam Waardenburg suffered an ankle injury which required minor surgery. The setback will see Waardenburg sit out for up to three months. He is expected to return in late December.
2. Mawot Mag | 201CM | 98K | FORWARD | 24 YRS
Injury: Toe
Current Status: Day-to-Day
Notes: The Taipans have confirmed that Mawot Mag won’t suit up this weekend against the Brisbane Bullets. He will travel with the team to Sydney where he could suit up and debut for the club.
ILLAWARRA HAWKS
1. Will ‘Davo’ Hickey | 194CM | 92KG | 26 YRS
Injury: Eye
Current Status: Out for up to one month, but will be reassessed week-to-week.
Notes: During the NBL Blitz, Will Hickey sustained an eye injury. The specifics of what the injury actually is or what caused it is not known. The most recent info we have is that he will miss up to one month.
2. Sam Froling | 213CM | 109KG | FORWARD | 25 YRS
Injury: Achilles
Current Status: Expected to return by February ‘26.
Notes: Sam Froling’s last game was in Game 4 of the NBL Finals, where he unfortunately suffered a torn Achilles just 8 minutes into the game. The early diagnosis saw that he would miss the entirely on NBL26. However, recent updates suggest he will in fact suit up during the later stages of the season. We will keep you updated on any new information.
MELBOURNE UNITED
1. Chris Goulding | 192CM | 92KG | GUARD | 36 YRS
Injury: Quad
Current Status: Set to miss the first two rounds. Will be reevaluated.
Notes: Chris Goulding was ruled out of United’s season-opener against Tasmania JackJumpers after the team revealed he suffered a low grade quad injury during a training session.
Bullets open season by beating Breakers | 00:46
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
1. Parker Jackson-Cartwright | 180CM | 74KG | GUARD | 30 YRS
Injury: Ribs
Current Status: TBC
Notes: Star import guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright played through the last game against United with noticeable signs of a rib injury, something he has been dealing with for a while. The team is expected to announce on Friday if Jackson-Cartwright will play against the Perth Wildcats on Saturday.
2. Sam Mennenga | 206CM | 109KG | CENTRE | 24 YRS
Injury: Concussion
Current Status: TBC
Notes: During the Breakers’ match against the Brisbane Bullets, Sam Mennenga took a nasty fall which led to a possible concussion, after his head hit the court. He did not participate in the United game and the club will confirm tomorrow if he will play in round two.
PERTH WILDCATS
1. Sunday Dech | 195CM | 91KG | GUARD | 31 YRS
Injury: Calf
Current Status: Out for 3-4 weeks
Notes: The Perth Wildcats revealed on the 19th September that new signing, Sunday Dech, won’t play for up to one month. Dech entered the season with an ongoing Calf injury sustained during the NBL1 South season.
Wildcats begin post Cotton era | 00:55
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
1. Akech Aliir | 204CM | 102KG | FORWARD | 24 YRS
Injury: Personal
Current Status: Day-to-Day.
Notes: Akech Aliir has not participated in any form of basketball in over a month. The club’s statement on this has revealed it is for ‘personal’ reasons, so unfortunately that is all we have to go on.
SYDNEY KINGS
1. Keli Leaupepe | 199CM | 111KG | FORWARD | 25 YRS
Injury: ACL
Current status: Out of the season.
Notes: The Sydney Kings confirmed that Keli Leaupepe had torn his ACL during training on the 2nd September. He will not participate in NBL26.
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS
1. Anthony Drmic | 198CM | 91KG | FORWARD | 33 YRS
Injury: Nose
Current status: Day-to-Day
Notes: Anthony Drmic suffered a broken nose during the NBL Blitz. Although only playing three minutes against the Perth Wildcats, the team has confirmed that it was precautionary and Drmic is being eased back into a bigger role.
2. Sean Macdonald | 188CM | 86KG | GUARD | 25 YRS
Injury: ACL
Current status: Out of the season.
Notes: Sean Macdonald will miss NBL26 after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during the Boomers’ exhibition games in August.
3. David Johnson | 193CM | 92KG | GUARD | 24 YRS
Injury: Lower Leg
Current Status: 4 Weeks
Notes: David Johnson is expected to miss up to four weeks with a lower leg injury sustained in training during the week.