Injury dampens Breakers' upset victory in Perth

Injury dampens Breakers' upset victory in Perth
Sport: Basketball
Source: stuff.co.nz
Date: 13/10/14

Buoyant but battered, the Breakers face an important few days healing some wounded bodies ahead of Friday's visit by the Adelaide 36ers.

After their upset win over the defending champion Wildcats in Perth to tip off the new Australian NBL season, Dean Vickerman's men will look to consolidate their fast start in their home opener that will double as a tribute for retired club legend CJ Bruton.

That means dealing with a casualty ward that grew by one in Perth, with starting shooting guard Corey Webster jamming his back in the second quarter and unable to re-enter the game.

That made the Breakers' 80-70 victory over the Cats, snapping a five-game regular season losing streak in Perth, even more meritorious, as it was essentially achieved with only seven fit players.

Centre Alex Pledger played nearly 14 minutes, but was clearly hampered by the turf toe injury he's trying to play through, while Tall Black Tom Abercrombie stayed behind in Auckland to recover from sports hernia surgery.

Abercrombie aims to play against the 36ers, Pledger's situation remains a watching brief, while Webster's status is optimistic, though it needs further assessment. All three will require intensive treatment this week to make the startline for the clash at Auckland's Vector Arena.

Assistant coach Paul Henare said Webster's improvement suggested a quick recovery was on. "He's in a little bit of discomfort, and hopefully that will settle down. We'll know more once we're able to get it checked out."

Pledger's situation is a tricky one. His first stint on court was productive, but after that he struggled for timing and pushoff. He had three points on one-of-three shooting, two rebounds and a pair of blocks in about 14 minutes.

But Henare made it clear the Breakers valued any contribution they could get out of their 2.15m centre.

"I'm really, really proud of the big man," he said. "He's in a little bit of discomfort, but his presence was felt.

"Yes, he's not going to be the Alex Pledger we know and love but he still moved reasonably well, especially on defence. You can't teach seven feet - he's a big boy, and he and Ekene [Ibekwe] did a good job under the basket."

Abercrombie was hopeful he could play in front of what's expected to be a big crowd at Vector. The springy small forward played through a series of niggles in the recent Tall Blacks World Cup campaign, and was just looking forward to returning to the court free of pain.

Henare said after the elation of a rare victory in Perth, the team had quickly shifted its focus to a testing week that will end with a Sunday visit to Melbourne. Fairfax NZ