Exum expected to miss multiple games

Australian Boomers star Dante Exum's finger injury is expected to keep him out for the first two games of the Olympics, News Corp's Matt Logue has reported.

Exum suffered the injury against France in a warm-up game last week, with the Australian camp opting not to bring in a replacement or backup from outside the squad.

News Corp revealed Exum opted against surgery on a compound fracture in his right index finger, in order to make himself available for the Games. 

Speaking on The Gold Standard, Australian champion Andrew Bogut said the Boomers were "rolling the dice" by not replacing Exum.

“It's a big out. Dante is not a guy that you look at the stat sheet and say, we're missing X, Y, Z, but he's a steadier,” Bogut said.

“Whenever he comes into games for the Boomers, it just seems things steady out a little bit. It's not as erratic.

“I have a bit of a worry losing him. I guess they're probably comfortable with the rotations they have and hoping that if they're going to get to where they want to get to, they need Dante there later in the tournament, but it might not be until game four, game five.

“You have a deep cut in your finger, we have all had deep cuts. If anyone has played ball sports, it's not even contact from another player. It's if you get hit with the ball nice and hard on a hard pass from Delly or from Josh (Giddey), it could open up that wound again, especially if it's affecting your shooting. So, a dice roll there by the Boomers coaching staff.”

Australia takes on Spain in Saturday night, with live coverage via the Nine Network and Stan Sport from 7pm AEST.

Australia v Spain
Saturday, July 27, 7pm AEST
How to watch: Nine Network, Stan Sport
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