Concerns for hurt MVP candidate; Boomer’s blow, huge NBA call on star — NBL Daily

An MVP candidate has suffered a concerning setback, while the JackJumpers have been dealt a big injury blow.

Plus a former import has heaped huge praise on an Adelaide 36ers star and Brian Goorjian has opened up on the devastating loss that kicked his Sydney Kings into gear.

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BRISBANE SWEATING BULLETS OVER CASEY PRATHER’S INJURY

Stu Lash summed up the apparent knee injury to Casey Prather simply in his post-game press conference: “It’s hard. Yeah, it’s hard. I mean, he’s a great person. He’s a great ambassador for the club. He’s a leader for us. So we all know what he’s been through and what he does for us on a day-to-day.”

It’s been an incredible season for Casey Prather – a campaign that’s seen him reassert himself in the MVP race while leading the Brisbane Bullets on and off the court. His averages of 24.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 49% from the field all represent increases from his strong return to form last season.

But in tonight’s game against the New Zealand Breakers, disaster struck. Prather went down after driving to the basket and landing awkwardly on his knee before collapsing to the floor.

Despite finishing with 26 points, the look on his face told the story. Walking unassisted to the tunnel with his head buried in his jersey, it was hard not to imagine the worst.

When asked for an update on his star player, Lash said:

“Not at this time. I mean, we talk about brotherhood and obviously we get around him, and we love him and support him. And, you know, we’ll see what the next 24–48 hours bring on that.

Sometimes you just need a day or two to really evaluate it, get it looked at. I mean, obviously it was his knee. So, you know, we hope for the best and we pray for him.”

The Bullets now face an anxious wait. After falling 113-84 to the Breakers, they sit at 5-8 on the season – a campaign defined so far by inconsistency.

“Make no mistake, tonight was an embarrassment for our fans. Just not good enough, not tough enough, not physical enough.

If we’re going to play like this, we’re going to be in for a long season.”

It was a firm but simple message from a coach still working to shape a new roster and identity. The performance was a far cry from the grit-and-grind win over Tasmania last round – a two-point thriller that showed the Bullets’ potential.

“Coming off of a game against Tasmania where we were really proud of our defensive effort, and to come in today with this, it’s a step backwards for us.

You have two or three games this season like this that you flush. You don’t want to have them in the first third of the year because you only get so many.”

This team has faced adversity before and responded well – something Lash believes they’ll do again.

“The one thing this group has done consistently is bounce back. When we face adversity or our backs are up against the wall, we have responded well.”

With an import already replaced earlier this season following Javon Freeman-Liberty’s departure, questions arose about whether the club might look to add another player in Prather’s absence. Lash quickly dismissed the idea.

“I don’t, you know, again, like not going to really comment in any roster decisions right now. Our thoughts and prayers are with Casey.”

In what has been a challenging first season at the helm, Lash made it clear he’s taking accountability.

“We as a coaching staff own this as much as the players.”

If the heavy loss to the Breakers wasn’t bad enough, the Bullets now face Melbourne United on Saturday – on the road, against the league’s best team. It’s a chance to regroup, rally, and play for their fallen leader. Sometimes, these moments define a team.

“It’s a big challenge playing the top team on the road.

You would be confident of a pretty good response. We are.”

As the NBL world awaits confirmation on the extent of Prather’s injury, Brisbane’s season hangs in the balance. This moment could unite the Bullets – or break them.

Play for Prather, and we could see a fired-up, resilient group ready to shock the league. Shy away from the challenge, and they risk falling further behind.

Either way, this will be Stu Lash’s toughest test yet as head coach.

BOOMER SET FOR STINT ON SIDELINES

The Tasmania JackJumpers have confirmed that star big man Will Magnay will miss this round’s clash with the Adelaide 36ers tomorrow night at MyState Bank Arena.

Magnay has sustained a bruised right knee, an injury the club says occurred during a practice session. Tasmania stated he will be reassessed ahead of Round 10, though CODE Sports reporter Mick Randall reported on X (Twitter) that the setback could keep him out well into December.

“He faces a stretch on the sidelines is set to keep him out until mid-next month.” – Mick Randall, CODE Sports.

It’s far from the ideal scenario for head coach Scott Roth, as the JackJumpers look to avoid what would be their fifth straight loss.

Magnay’s absence looms large – he’s one of the premier rim protectors in the NBL, and without him, Tasmania’s already struggling defense (currently ranked 7th in the league) faces an even tougher challenge.

The injury also casts doubt on Magnay’s availability for the Australian Boomers, who are set to face New Zealand later this month in the opening games of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.

Known for their grit and defensive identity – captured by the motto “Defend the Island” – the JackJumpers have traditionally been one of the toughest home teams in the league. But as they prepare to host Adelaide, they’re in danger of recording just one win from seven home appearances this season.

‘DESERVES A REAL SHOT’: FORMER IMPORT’S HUGE PRAISE FOR 36ERS STAR

Former South East Melbourne Phoenix big man Alan “Big Sauce” Williams has heaped praise on Adelaide 36ers forward Zylan Cheatham, describing him as “like family” – and going as far as to say he should already be in the NBA.

Appearing on the debut episode of NBL: Alumni, where former imports reflect on their time in Australia and share updates on their careers, Williams spoke passionately about his close relationship with Cheatham – with both players hailing from Phoenix, Arizona.

“He’s like family – my little brother, for real,” Williams said.

“We grew up maybe five or ten minutes away from each other, played in the same club system, and had a lot of the same coaches coming up.

“I’m a few years older, but for the longest time I wanted him to come to my high school. We won state championships, and he was that younger kid who was super athletic and really raw. We felt like we could help him reach that next level – and he definitely did.”

Williams shared that the two have remained close throughout their careers, continuing to train together in the offseason.

“He was extremely successful in high school – just a straight beast – and we stayed in contact all through college,” Williams said.

“Now, we even have the same professional trainer. In the offseason, we’re in the gym together two or three times a week. That’s my guy.”

While acknowledging his bias, Williams said his admiration for Cheatham goes beyond friendship – it’s rooted in respect for his work ethic and basketball IQ.

“He’s an extremely cerebral player and a heck of a teammate,” Williams explained.

“That mic’d-up session the NBL did with him this season was a perfect example of who he is – not just as a competitor, but as a person.

“He’s supportive, vocal, and works his butt off. He’s had different situations throughout his career, but I think being in Adelaide is the best thing for him. It’s giving him and everyone else a real chance to see what he can do.”

Williams closed by saying he firmly believes Cheatham has what it takes to make the leap back to the NBA

“I’m hoping the next step is the NBA for him,” Williams said.

“There’s no reason – in my opinion or my eyes – that he shouldn’t be playing in the NBA right now. Hopefully, he keeps pushing, keeps working, and gets that opportunity.

“He deserves a real shot.”

HOW THE SYDNEY KINGS TURNED IT AROUND AFTER BEING “KICKED IN THE FACE”

Sydney Kings head coach Brian Goorjian admits “that’s as bad a loss as I can remember in the domestic competition.”

The Kings have won their previous three games, but it was their devastating loss to the Tasmania JackJumpers that became the fire starter for change.

“I was on the sideline in the middle of the fourth thinking we’d won this, like felt comfortable about it,” Goorjian said on Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast.

“It turned into an instant and diabolical finish.”

Goorjian has seen it all in professional basketball.

With over 700 games of NBL experience as a coach, Olympic experience as the head coach of the Boomers and his playing career in the NBL, Goorjian has been in many situations. But this loss was one that shocked him.

“To have the game won… and then it turned so dramatically was difficult,” he said.

Goorjian mentioned the importance of addressing the loss directly with his players, stating: “What I got from that was opportunity to build trust with my players.

“I spent a lot of time in one-on-one meetings.”

After that loss, the Kings fell to 3-5 on the season, and with games against the Brisbane Bullets, Melbourne United and the New Zealand Breakers, this stretch was always going to be one that made or broke the team.

“The practice sessions kind of went to another level of competitiveness,” Goorjian admitted.

“I really liked where the team went after that kick in the face.”

With that loss in the background, the task turned to an up-and-down but solid Brisbane Bullets team – the result, a dominant Sydney Kings win.

“We had a great weekend going up and beating Brisbane, a good team up there by over 30.”

From there it was against the then-undefeated Melbourne United. United have been the benchmark for the competition all season long and, with the game in Melbourne and the up-and-down nature of the Kings, it was seen as one United would win. The result was different. A locked-in Kings lineup, led by their big three in Kendric Davis, Matthew Dellavedova and Xavier Cooks, took care of business to make it two wins in a row.

The New Zealand Breakers clash followed, after two straight games away from home,” Goorjian continued.

“We came back after the road trip, little prep time, and went into just a game that was gritty and grindy and kind of tough.

“We just found a way to win… defensively really locked them down, holding them to 72 points.”

The game didn’t go all smooth, with Goorjian reflecting: “We were 13 down, didn’t really have anything going and just found a way to win.”

Goorjian has been under enormous pressure this season with the club not performing to external expectations.

But after three consecutive wins, he admitted: “I felt good about us after that week, after that disappointment, because it’s one of the best weeks I’ve had in my time at the Kings.”

With state rival Illawarra Hawks now standing in the way of win number four in a row – and five straight away games looming – the lessons and message for the team remain the same.

“It’s just no let up, bringing your bag each day for practice and making sure that we’re on the improve every single day as we come down this backstretch.

“The thing about our league right now is top to bottom, there’s not a weak team.”

The biggest challenge with the Hawks is clear – JaVale McGee – and he’s firmly a focus in Goorjian’s mind heading into this game.

“McGee, NBA, seven foot, long, is getting himself in shape and is starting to dominate the competition.

“Doing whatever we can to stop him, but also trying to put him in situations that is going to be tough for him.”

For the Kings, it has been a soul-searching start to the season. With so many big names and egos, it was always going to take time. The question now is: is this the real Kings, or just a good run?