Taipans' Huge Injury Blow

Friday, February 3, 2023

The Cairns Taipans would likely need to make the Hungry Jack's NBL Championship Series for Keanu Pinder to make his return this season, the club has confirmed.

Pinder has been sidelined with an orbital eye fracture in recent weeks, and while the Taipans have performed well in his absence, it's a bitter blow leading into the Finals.

"Depending on the team’s success throughout the NBL Finals, the club is hopeful he will be able to return after the FIBA break," a statement on the club's website read.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Keanu Pinder and Mirko Djeric will miss the last game of the Taipans' regular season. <br><br>? Update brought to you by <a href="https://twitter.com/CQU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CQU</a> Exercise & Sports Sciences.<a href="https://t.co/dl0jRZc8rY">https://t.co/dl0jRZc8rY</a></p>— Cairns Taipans (@CairnsTaipans) <a href="https://twitter.com/CairnsTaipans/status/1621034598766624768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Pinder was in the mix for the league's MVP Award earlier in the season, before an ankle injury kept him out for a significant period.

He has averaged 16.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals a game across NBL23.

Meanwhile, guard Mirko Djeric has been diagnosed with gastroenteritis and will not suit up for the team's clash against Perth on Friday night. He is expected to return in the finals.