14
Jan
Code Sports
Derrick Walton Jr done for the rest of NBL25
Major blow to South East Melbourne's push for playoffs
South East Melbourne Phoenix guard Derrick Walton Jr is out for the rest of the NBL25 season.
Code Sport Basketball reports Walton Jr has been ruled out for the rest of the NBL regular season with a torn hamstring as the fall out from the regional Victorian court controversy begins to take shape.
It’s a devastating blow for both the Phoenix and the former NBL Grand Final MVP, who slipped on the court during his side’s Saturday night win against Brisbane and immediately hobbled down the race, clutching his left hamstring.
Walton Jr was one of a number of injuries that has been blamed on a court surface that was impacted by steamy conditions in Traralgon and left Brisbane coach Justin Schueller seething.
Bullets Josh Bannan (knee) and Deng Adel (groin) were also forced off the slippery court during the game, with the club seeking an explanation from the NBL over safety concerns at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium.
Walton Jr was logging 23.6 minutes per game, 11.8 points per game, 2.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals.
Read the full story at Code Sports Basketball
"Derrick has worked incredibly hard to recover from his earlier injury and play a pivotal role in the resurgence of the team in the past few months, so it's a real blow to have him go down again and we will support him in every way possible in his recovery," Phoenix GM of Basketball Operations Simon Mitchell said.
"With that said, we are hopeful to see Derrick on-court again for us this season as we eye off a post-season appearance, though his recovery and how his hamstring responds to treatment will dictate the timeline of return."
Bullets coach Justin Schueller said after game on Saturday: "We were frustrated with the safety of the venue before the game; we raised those issues and we've taken another four injuries through this contest.
"That's a frustration right now we need to get some answers on. When you're told to 'just deal with it' when those things are raised.
"When we had our bodies we showed we were as good, if not better (than the Phoenix)."
South East Melbourne coach Josh King added: "The floor ... I can honestly say I don't think the floor was 100 per cent good tonight.
"We both had to play on ... a less-than-perfect floor but there's less-than-perfect conditions sometimes in basketball and sport."
