NBL news: Tasmania JackJumpers big man Majok Deng ruled out with injury
Tasmania’s horror injury run has continued with a key big man ruled out as they prepare to come face-to-face with the Breakers for the first time since the heated Christmas Day clash.
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The Tasmania JackJumpers NBL title defence has copped another injury blow with Majok Deng ruled out of Thursday’s game.
The veteran big man suffered an ankle injury at training on Tuesday afternoon with the Jackies confirming later in the day he would not suit up for the trip to take on the New Zealand Breakers.
It’s understood Deng suffered the injury during an open training session for members.
“He will be reassessed at the end of the week,” a post on the club’s social media accounts said.
“He will be replaced in the side by Walter Brown.”
Thursday’s clash with the Breakers will be the first time the two sides have faced off since the Christmas Day game where New Zealand’s star point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright was found guilty of shoving a referee.
The American import will make a return from his five-game suspension against the JackJumpers.
Jackson-Cartwright was cited after becoming involved in a scuffle with Deng before Reuben Te Rangi became involved and pushing the star guard when the two teams came together at MyState Bank Arena.
The MVP contender fell to the ground following the shove, getting up to chase Te Rangi as two referees tried to intervene with Jackson-Cartwright making contact with the officials.
JackJumpers forward Fabijan Krslovic said there was no ill feelings between the two sides.
“Whatever happens in the game, happens in the game,” he said on Wednesday.
“Heat of the moment I didn’t think it was anything to blown over.
“No hard feelings on this end, I don’t know how they feel.”
Krslovic went onto praise the Breakers’ import for the impact he’s had on the court this season.
“He is one of the best I’ve seen in my time in this league,” he said.
“He knows how to push the ball in transition, finding those gaps.
“The first eight seconds (of the shot clock) he really tests your defence so it’s a challenge.
“He finds gaps where it doesn’t look like there is any.”
With Deng now joining Will Magnay and Sean Macdonald on the sidelines, Krslovic can expect to carry a greater offensive burden as he has done in previous weeks.
“Things have changed a bit recently and I’m getting to have a bit more responsibility on the offensive end so I’m enjoying that,” he said.
Thursday’s game will tip-off at 5.30pm.
Originally published as NBL news: Tasmania JackJumpers big man Majok Deng ruled out with injury
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