NBL finals: Derrick Walton Jr poised to return for series against Illawarra Hawks

South East Melbourne Phoenix’s hopes of an NBL finals boilover are set to receive a significant boost with star guard Derrick Walton Jr on the cusp of a surprise return from injury.

South East Melbourne’s quest to take down title favourite Illawarra and book a spot in the NBL grand final is set to receive a massive boost with star guard Derrick Walton Jr “itching” to get back on the court.

Walton Jr has missed eight games after an incident in round 16 when he slipped on the court in the win over Brisbane, immediately clutching at his left hamstring.

The high-grade strain ruled him out for the remainder of the regular season, just the latest in a series of injuries for the import who had already recovered from a nick in his right hamstring and calf problems earlier in the season.

Walton Jr after South East Melbourne Phoenix’s victory over Adelaide 36ers. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Walton Jr was almost at full speed last week when he was put through an intensive workout under the watchful eyes of the Phoenix high-performance team.

He was seen tearing through full-court sprints, one-on-one ball handling drills, changing direction at speed and shooting drills from deep and off the dribble, launching and landing uninhibited.

Coach Josh King said the playmaker was not officially cleared, but didn’t hide the fact he would be good to go for game one on Friday week.

“Right now, it’s keep everybody healthy. It’s, ‘let’s see if we can get D-Walt going’,” King said.

“He is (going to play).

“I’m not even trying to hide it.”

Derrick Walton Jr. left the game with a reported hamstring injury in the first quarter.

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Although Walton Jr admits being on the sideline is “tough”, the 29-year-old has a refreshingly optimistic outlook on his time off the court.

“I think it’s given me another chance to find my joy again,” he said.

Part of that joy involves feasting on some of the finest cuisine Australia’s eclectic food scene has to offer.

Much-hyped Sydney Italian restaurant Totti’s is his favourite spot in Australia.

His go-to order?: “Pappardelle, every time.”

The Detroit, Michigan, product spent his injury-enforced downtime exploring Melbourne, watching movies and reading.

Walton Jr has struggled with injury issues this season. Picture: Linda Higginson/Getty Images

“I’ve got this book I’ve had since college, it’s called Mind Gym. It’s the ins and outs of training your mind, and I do a lot of manifestation,” he said.

“There’s also a series called The Secret: The Power of Manifestation. I frequently visit that, I feel like it keeps me in good spirits.”

Walton Jr has been practising turning aspirational thought into reality for the past eight years and says the key is consistency.

“I got it from college, I had a really good sports psychologist there, his thing was to envision yourself doing something before you do it,” he said.

Now, if I were a gambling woman I’d put my money on Walton Jr envisioning himself at the Sydney Kings in NBL23, where he led the team to the NBL championship and was crowned grand final MVP.

Walton Jr looks set to boost the Phoenix’s chances of a finals boilover. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

He’s likely already seen in his own mind what that looks like in a South East Melbourne jersey.

“We’ll do what we do best and try to take away what they do best, which is probably in transition,” he said.

“I think we match up with them pretty well.

“At this time of the year, it’s about players versus players.

“I’ve got confidence in our guys, Matt (Hurt) has had a hell of a year, and so did (Nathan) Sobey, a lot of guys have stepped up.”

For a team that started the season 0-5 to now be preparing to take on the championship favourites in a semi-final series, Walton Jr says there’s a balance in embracing the moment while not allowing himself to be swept away by it.

“(It’s about) not thinking that we don’t deserve to be here, more so just having fun with the fact we’re here,” he said.

“I think we have a good chance (to advance) if we do what we do best.”

As for Walton Jr’s feelings about being back on the court.

“I’m probably just going to play with the most fun I’ve had in a while … mentally, I’m ready to go.”

Originally published as NBL finals: Derrick Walton Jr poised to return for series against Illawarra Hawks