The New Zealand Breakers will start the season without key import Josiah-Jordan James due to injury, the club has confirmed. <\/p>\n
James sustained a torn left hamstring during the Breakers\u2019 pre-season clash against Melbourne United last week and has been ruled out of the season-opener.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, the scan and reports confirm that JJ will be out of action for some weeks,\u201d President of Basketball Operations Dillon Boucher said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur first thoughts are with him; no player wants to be injured but this is especially the case when you have travelled so far to a new club and playing in a new league.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is obviously tremendously disappointed with the result of the scan and that he will miss several weeks but is already focused on his rehab and working with our incredible medical and performance team with the goal of getting back on the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n
James faces a prolonged period on the sidelines, with the club saying he would be re-assessed in four to six weeks. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe showed in pre-season when we had several players out that the team does not dwell on who is missing, but sees opportunity for the next player in,\u201d Boucher said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat is the key, players stepping up and making the most of added minutes and the chance to take on more responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Breakers host the Illawarra Hawks in their first game of the Hungry Jack\u2019s NBL27 Season at Spark Arena on Sunday, live on ESPN via Disney+ from 3pm AEST.<\/p>\n