Mitch Creek to miss 36ers’ clash with Melbourne United after appendix surgery

ADELAIDE 36ers will be without livewire forward Mitch Creek for Wednesday’s home clash with Melbourne United after he had appendix surgery last week.

BASKETBALL - Adelaide 36ers v Cairns Taipans at Titanium Security Arena. Mitch Creek and Alex Laughton. Photo Sarah Reed.

ADELAIDE 36ers will be without livewire forward Mitch Creek for Wednesday’s home clash with Melbourne United after he had appendix surgery last week.

Creek had experienced symptoms of an appendicitis for some time before going under the knife during the 36ers’ week off.

He has been released from hospital and was at training for shooting practice and light bike work Monday but is not allowed to start running until Wednesday.

“He had some earlier appendicitis signs and during this break decided to do it (have appendix removed),” Adelaide coach Joey Wright said.

“He’ll just miss one game. He has a routine that he does on the sideline but he can’t start running until Wednesday and he’s recovering fine.”

Wright said his side would miss the energy that Creek has brought to the floor in recent weeks.

The 23-year-old has averaged eight points in 20 minutes of game time this season and had nine points in last week’s win over Townsville.

“He’s been a good energy guy for us the last couple of games so we’re going to have to make sure that everybody brings that energy (to Wednesday’s game),” Wright said.

“They’re all going to have to (step up), it’s important for them all to show up and take on what Mitch is not bringing as far as his energy levels.”

Wright is fresh from signing a new three-year deal to continue as Adelaide coach and so should his players be coming off the bye.

They went some way to redeeming their disastrous fade out loss to Townsville by beating the Crocs by 10 points in the return leg of their double header on December 12 which took their record to 8-9 for the season.

The 36ers are currently fifth on the ladder, three wins behind Melbourne which is coming off a 15-point loss to Sydney last week.

Tip-off at Adelaide Arena on Wednesday is 7pm.

[e-mail]

Originally published as Mitch Creek to miss 36ers’ clash with Melbourne United after appendix surgery