Marcus Lee ruled out for remainder of NBL Championship series with MCL tear

Tasmania will be without a star import for the rest of the NBL24 Championship series. See the details.

Tasmania will be without star big man Marcus Lee for Thursday’s game four NBL Championship series clash against Melbourne United after scans confirmed he suffered an MCL tear in game three.

Marcus Lee of the JackJumpers is assisted after sustaining an injury during game three of the NBL Championship Grand Final Series between Melbourne United and Tasmania JackJumpers at John Cain Arena, on March 24, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Lee went down late in the third quarter of Sunday’s thrilling two-point win with the American also ruled out of a potential game five on Sunday should United defeat the JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena.

Head coach Scott Roth was disappointed for Lee but wasn’t worried his injury would have a negative impact on the group.

“I feel for Marcus because you don’t always get the opportunity to play in these types of games,” Roth said.

“It’s unfortunate but it will be next man up for us.”

It’s been a playoff series full of twists and turns for Lee who went down with a shoulder injury in the Seeding Qualifier win over Illawarra before being suspended for the game two semi-final win over Perth.

While Lee’s injury is less than ideal for Tasmania, it does allow talls Will Magnay and Fabijan Krslovic the opportunity to play increased minutes or the chance for the JackJumpers to once again go small and challenge United on defence through fourth-quarter hero Majok Deng.

Deng dominated the closing stages of Thursday’s game and finished with 15 points and three rebounds with his influence on the contest so influential that Melbourne head coach Dean Vickerman was forced to bench duo Jo Lual-Acuil and Ariel Hukporti in a failed bid to match Tasmania’s small-ball line-up.

While Roth said they wouldn’t necessarily repeat the small-ball tactics on Thursday, he was confident the group could cover the loss of Lee.

Majok Deng of the JackJumpers and Fabijan Krslovic of the JackJumpers celebrate the win during game three of the NBL Championship Grand Final Series between Melbourne United and Tasmania JackJumpers at John Cain Arena, on March 24, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

“All of our guys are ready to go,” he said.

“We will bring in Lachie Barker tomorrow and I have no fears of playing Lachie Barker. Our guys do the work during the course of the season, everyone has confidence within, and we just have to scratch out a few minutes from different guys.

“We will function as we have always functioned which is to do it as a team.”

Tip-off for Thursday’s game is at 7.30pm with Tasmania a chance to be crowned NBL24 Champions with a win on their home floor, while a United victory would send the series to a deciding game five at John Cain Arena on Sunday.