Injured JackJumper Marcus Lee says he’s ready for NBL rematch with Melbourne United in Hobart

JackJumper star Marcus Lee has declared he and his teammate will “fight our best fight” as they aim to avoid a 2-0 series NBL Championship Series deficit.

JackJumpers giant Marcus Lee says the shoulder injury he copped against Melbourne United in game one of the NBL grand final series will not influence his performance in their return bout at MyState Bank Arena on Friday night _ also his 50-game milestone in the NBL.

Recruited from United this season for his height, strength and 7’3 wingspan, Lee strained his left shoulder in the 104-81 mauling at John Cain Arena on Sunday.

With the shoulder taped and on the mend, Lee and the team responded to the big loss at training this week with trademark determination.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 17: Marcus Lee of the Jackjumpers reacts after a contest during game one of the NBL Championship Grand Final Series between Melbourne United and Tasmania Jackjumpers at John Cain Arena, on March 17, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

“The Jackies are 100 per cent at every moment, all the time, and we came into it [the week] fired up, energized and ready to go,” Lee said.

The 23-point margin was a statement by the NBL’s minor premier.

“You’ve got to give it to them, they came in playing well,” Lee said.

“But I think this game will be a different matter, and different thing [story] that we’re going to tell.

“All we can do right now is fight our best fight.”

The injury that clipped Lee’s wings in game one will have no detrimental impact in game two.

“It’s going well – there are some ups and downs with it but as a basketball player, or any athlete, you’ve got to fight through some things,” Lee said.

“It has no effect on how I’m playing.

Marcus Lee of the JackJumper. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

“It’s a kind of after-the-fact kind of thing, like ‘oh man, what did I do?’ _ I’ve hit somebody and now it hurts.

“But it’s totally fine and it’s great having great staff to support me on that.”

A 25-17 second quarter from Melbourne provided a lead it wouldn’t relinquish, as the JackJumpers’ second half comeback attempts fell short.

It was a balanced attack from United, with Chris Goulding (22 points), Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (20 points, 11 rebounds) and Ian Clark (18 points) all having strong contributions.

Anthony Drmic was Tasmania’s leading scorer with 18 points while Milton Doyle had 16 points and eight rebounds.

United enters game two with a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series, as they look to silence Tasmania’s home crowd on Friday night.

“The best thing we can do is just play our game,” Lee said.

“They have to come here and worry about us, so we need to come in and play together, play our way, and things will go our way.”

Star import Jordon Crawford only scored seven points in game one but Lee is confident his fellow-American can unlashed on home boards.