A welcome win in the Australian Boomers’ final FIBA World Cup warm-up match was heavily soured by another injury blow for starting centre Jock Landale on Thursday night.
The Houston Rocket is now expected to be unavailable for the tournament, according to coach Brian Goorjian.
He will not fly with his Aussie teammates to Japan on Friday morning, instead heading for an MRI, with the side now preparing as if he will not feature against the world’s best.
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Landale hadn’t played in the opening two matches of the three-game series at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena due to a right ankle injury, but returned to the starting line-up to add some much-needed size against South Sudan.
Just minutes into his return Landale landed awkwardly on his other ankle, the left, while trying to defend the rim. He looked in serious pain and quickly limped off court and into the locker room.
While the Boomers prevailed 88-67 over the world No.62 South Sudanese, it’s an ill-timed blow for the Olympic bronze medallists and one they may struggle to cover.
With two warm-up games left, against France (Sunday) and Georgia (Tuesday) and just eight days before their opening World Cup match against Finland, it leaves Landale in a race against time to be cleared, even though that appears unlikely.
Without him an already shallow frontcourt will be further limited with Duop Reath, Nick Kay and Xavier Cooks now likely to prove critical.
Goorjian revealed Jack White was the most likely player to be cut from the current 13-man squad but now will travel with the other 11 fit players, and no other players (such as the previously cut Thon Maker) will be brought in.
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Chris Goulding (knee) was left out of Thursday night’s side while Landale and Josh Green played for the first time in this warm-up period.
Against South Sudan Matisse Thybulle top-scored for the Boomers after going five-from-five on his first five threes, finishing with 17 points, while Josh Giddey (six points, nine assists, four rebounds) and Dante Exum (six points, seven assists) enabled an even effort.
Duop Reath (15 points) and Xavier Cooks (11 points at 100% FG) were also important.
Boomers smash Venezuela in warm up game | 00:56
After trailing very early the Aussies went on a huge run to lead 21-11 after one.
A night after watching their opponents Brazil enjoy the hot hand, it was the Boomers who kept finding the net, shooting at 57 per cent from the floor late in the first half – compared to South Sudan’s 25 per cent.
Nick Kay was bloodied by an accidental elbow above the brow just before the break, while Jack White was seen on the bench holding his wrist.
A mini-run at the end of the half by the visitors kept things from blowing out completely as the Aussies led 48-29.
Matisse Thybulle (11 points, three threes), Duop Reath (9 points) and Xavier Cooks (8 points) were all perfect from the field while Josh Giddey had four points and five assists.
“Josh Giddey, he is the conductor with a beautiful orchestra,” Gaze said.
In front of his parents Patty Mills chipped in with back-to-back threes, then taking advantage of a wicked Giddey assist which threaded the needle between multiple South Sudanese defenders, as the Aussies continued their strong performance.
Thybulle’s perfect night continued with another pair of threes as the Boomers took a 70-43 lead into the final break.
The Aussies were stunned by Brazil 86-90 on Wednesday evening following a dominant 97-41 win over Venezuela on Tuesday.
CURRENT BOOMERS SQUAD
Xavier Cooks, Dyson Daniels, Dante Exum, Josh Giddey, Chris Goulding, Josh Green, Joe Ingles, Nick Kay, Jock Landale, Patty Mills, Duop Reath, Matisse Thybulle, Jack White
FULL FIBA WORLD CUP WARM-UP SCHEDULE (Times AEST)
Australia def Venezuela 97-41
Brazil def Australia 90-86
Australia def South Sudan 88-67
Australia vs France (Sunday, August 20 @ 2pm)
Australia vs Georgia (Tuesday, August 22 @ TBD)
(First official World Cup game: Australia vs Finland, Friday, August 25 @ 6pm)