Nelson Weidemann had just one practice with the New Zealand Breakers before playing, and Gordon Herbert sees a role for him once he settles: "maybe be a defensive stopper for us on the defensive end on the perimeter."
"for 38 minutes they didn't call 3 seconds in the key or moving screen, and then they called 2. A minute 30 to go. What's that about?" — New Zealand Breakers coach Gordon Herbert on the loss to Tasmania. He also asked why the same three referees from 16 October worked it again.
No timeline for Parker Jackson-Cartwright or Josiah-Jordan James, both out for the New Zealand Breakers. Gordon Herbert: "hopefully we get James and Parker back at some time." With Jackson-Cartwright out, "we're asking a lot" of Sam Mennenga: "Sam's a workhorse."
"It's not fixed." Tasmania coach Scott Roth on Dakota Mathias's nose, re-injured in Illawarra and put under anaesthesia days ago to clear a breathing passage. Mathias is playing in a mask without practising. He says it is improving day by day but will take a little while.
A full day off on 19 October, then "a very, very light day" on 20 October: that is Scott Roth's plan for Tasmania JackJumpers before Brisbane. Work resumes 21 October, mostly video and meetings, with an eight- or nine-day break after this stretch.