The Blitz: Injury updates

The Cairns Taipans expect both Tahjere McCall and Bul Kuol to be ready for Round 1, despite the news the pair will be missing from the Hungry Jack's NBL Blitz. 

McCall injured his right trip at training, the club has revealed, and will be replaced by development player Alex Mudronja for the Blitz. He'll still play a key role though, after taking on the head-coaching role for Sunday's game against Perth.

Kuol is on the comeback trail from a fractured wrist, and will be replaced by DP Kian Dennis. 

Josh Roberts will miss game three due to an ankle sprain, as will Patrick Miller, who was injured his hamstring in the warm-up on Friday night. 

Melbourne United expects Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. to return to the court in early November, with the big man missing for the Blitz and early part of the season with a wrist injury. Ian Clark missed the latter stage of the Blitz with a hamstring complaint, but is expected to be fit for Round 1.

At South East Melbourne, Alan Williams (knee) and Gorjok Gak (ankle) were out for the entire pre-season tournament, while star Mitch Creek (calf) missed game one on Saturday, and was also ruled out of game two after failing a fitness test. He returned for game three and played a half against Cairns. 

Matt Kenyon missed the entirety of the Blitz with a back complaint. 

Anzac Rissetto, Austin Rapp and Luke Rosendale all got the chance to show what they can do in the absence of several stars. 

Tasmania was without Will Magnay due to a foot injury, with Sean MacDonald getting the call-up. 

Adelaide's Trey Kell didn't play at all at the Blitz due to a knee injury. Calf tightness ruled Jacob Wiley out of Tuesday night's game against the Wildcats and Thursday's against Tasmania. Jason Cadee was sidelined for the 36ers' final game due to a finger injury. 

Illness sidelined Tyrell Harrison from the Brisbane Bullets' Blitz opener against Melbourne, but he was back for game two. The news isn't as good for Josh Bannan, who will miss the remainder of the Blitz with a lower leg issue. Rocco Zikarsky returned from an ankle concern in the Bullets' second game, but will miss game three due to soreness. 

The New Zealand Breakers will also be missing some key names, with Next Star Mantas Rubstavicius out for four to six weeks with a groin injury, and Will McDowell-White to miss the Blitz with a hand issue. 

The Sydney Kings have confirmed DJ Hogg and Sam Timmins are out of the tournament with shoulder and calf injuries, respectively. Jaylen Adams (illness) was ruled out of Monday night's game against the Phoenix, but returned on Wednesday night against Melbourne. Makuach Maluach will miss the Kings' final game on Friday due to being in concussion protocols. 

Jesse Wagstaff will be sidelined for the Wildcats' final game on Thursday night, after sustaining a head knock on Tuesday. He'll be replaced by Jack Andrew.