Melbourne United to face Brisbane without import Casey Prather

Melbourne United goes into its clash with Brisbane Bullets today in red-hot form, but still undermanned, with news star import Casey Prather has, again, been ruled out with injury. Can they continue to cover him?

Casey Prather has managed just two games for United so far this season as injury bites. Picture: Getty Images

It feels like Groundhog Day and equally an all too familiar refrain for Casey Prather but the Melbourne United star has again been ruled out with injury.

Prather, 28, was forced out of the win over South East Melbourne Phoenix with back spasms and despite training this week failed a fitness test yesterday.

Athletic wing Dillon Stith will remain in the line-up as a result of Prather’s latest setback.

Prather, a three-time NBL champion, has managed just the two matches this season after undergoing surgery to remove a bone spur in his knee.

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Casey Prather’s return to Melbourne United hasn’t gone to plan. Picture: Getty Images

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Prather spent last year in Europe, including stints in Russia and Greece, but could not get onto the court due to repeat injury setbacks.

United has won its past five matches in succession, surging back into NBL championship calculations.

But Brisbane Bullets loom as the spoilers, backing up from a last gasp win over Adelaide 36ers.

Prather’s absence yet again opens the door for unheralded United star Mitch McCarron to remain in coach Dean Vickerman’s starting line-up.

The Bullets had the wood over United last season, winning three of four games throughout the 2018-19 campaign.

United boasts three of the league’s most prolific scorers, with Melo Trimble (21.7 points), Shawn Long (20.6) and Chris Goulding (20.1) starring at the offensive end.

Originally published as Melbourne United to face Brisbane without import Casey Prather