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South East Melbourne have overcome the lack of unfortunate ahead Craig Moller to a different critical knee harm to publish a 90-79 NBL win over the New Zealand Breakers.
Mitch Creek fired a private season-high 26 factors because the Phoenix returned to motion at John Cain Area on Saturday after the FIBA break, enhancing their season document to 7-6.
However the house aspect’s celebrations have been tempered after Moller harm his proper knee through the first quarter and needed to be helped off the courtroom.
He performed no additional half, ending the sport on crutches, and can be despatched for scans on Sunday to find out the extent of the injury.
The 29-year-old cross-code athlete, who performed one AFL recreation for Fremantle earlier than turning to professional basketball, was beforehand sidelined for nearly 18 months after shattering his left kneecap throughout an April 2022 recreation in Germany.
“It does not look nice for Craig. Everybody’s gone in and simply stated their condolences to him,” Phoenix assistant coach Sam Mackinnon advised ESPN at halftime.
“He seems to be like he’ll be out for some appreciable time, sadly.
“He is labored so onerous to get again from that (earlier) harm, so fingers crossed it is not as unhealthy because it seems to be.”
Three days after he was ejected for remonstrating with officers throughout a win over the Adelaide 36ers, Breakers coach Mody Maor once more had his blood boiling together with his aspect on the incorrect aspect of the whistle early in Melbourne.
There have been frustrations for the guests as starters Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Finn Delany each racked up three fouls earlier than halftime, although they led 45-41 on the primary break.
The benefit swelled to 6 factors through the third interval earlier than Creek helped wrest management for the Phoenix, producing his game-high factors tally on 10-of-15 capturing.
Star import Alan Williams (10 factors, 14 rebounds, eight assists) was additionally influential and Will Cummings (15 factors) supplied punch off the bench.
Izayah Le’afa (17 factors) continued his sturdy type off the bench for the Kiwis, whereas Anthony Lamb (14 factors, seven rebounds) and Jackson-Cartwright (14 factors, seven assists) have been busy.
The Breakers (4-8) have now misplaced 14 of their final 15 video games at John Cain Area.
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