As the NBL season rolls on, teams across the league are dealing with a growing list of injuries that continue to shape rotations, challenge depth, and influence early-season momentum.
From long-term setbacks to short-term absences, several clubs are navigating significant blows to key players – including season-ending injuries, surgical recoveries, and multiple athletes targeting returns after the FIBA break.Here’s the latest comprehensive update on every team’s injury status heading into the next phase of NBL26.
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ADELAIDE 36ERS
1. Ben Griscti | 211CM | 120KG | CENTRE | 23 YRS
Injury: Neck
Current status: Out for the season.
Notes: During the NBL Blitz, Ben Griscti suffered an unfortunate accident where a basketball ring collapsed on top of him, causing a fractured vertebrae. Although surgery was not required, he is not expected to play in NBL26.
“This might be non-basketball related” | 00:46
BRISBANE BULLETS
1. Casey Prather | 198CM | 96KG | FORWARD | 34 YRS
Injury: Knee
Current Status: Out for the season.
Notes: Casey Prather has been ruled out for the season after sustaining an injury against the New Zealand Breakers on November 12th – the injury required surgery on his right knee.
2. Sam McDaniel | 198CM | 102KG | GUARD | 29 YRS
Injury: Ankle
Current Status: 1-2 weeks away.
Notes: Sam McDaniel injured his ankle in his second game of the season. He received surgery on the 3rd October and the club has given him an 8-week timeline.
CAIRNS TAIPANS
1. Sam Waardenburg | 208CM | 100KG | FORWARD | 26 YRS
Injury: Ankle
Current Status: 2-3 weeks away.
Notes: It has now been eight weeks since Waardenburg injured his ankle that required surgery. He has been back at training and looks like a return after the FIBA break is likely.
2. Kody Stattmann | 196CM | 88K | FORWARD | 25 YRS
Injury: Hamstring
Current Status: 1-2 weeks.
Notes: Kody Stattmann suffered a Grade 1 Hamstring Tear during Cairns’ last game. He will miss round seven and be re-assessed post-round.
3. Alex Higgins-Titsha | 202CM | 91K | GUARD | 25 YRS
Injury: Hand
Current Status: Out for the season.
Notes: Alex Higgins-Titsha injured his hand in round six against Melbourne United and played through the injury. Adam Forde has now confirmed that the injury is much more serious and Higgins-Titsha will miss the remainder of the season.
4. Reyne Smith | 188CM | 82K | GUARD | 23 YRS
Injury: Foot
Current Status: 2-3 weeks.
Notes: Reyne Smith suffered a foot injury after Cairns’ game against Tasmania – he is expected to return after the FIBA break.
ILLAWARRA HAWKS
1. Sam Froling | 213CM | 109KG | FORWARD | 25 YRS
Injury: Achilles
Current Status: Expected to return by February ‘26. (NO UPDATED)
Notes: Sam Froling’s last game was in Game 4 of the NBL Finals, where he unfortunately suffered a torn achilles just 8 minutes into the game. The early diagnosis saw that he would miss the entirely on NBL26. However, recent updates suggest he will in-fact suit up during the later stages of the season. We will keep you updated on any new information.
2. Dan Grida | 197CM | 93KG | FORWARD | 27 YRS
Injury: Concussion.
Current Status: 1-2 weeks.
Notes: On November 16th, Dan Grida suffered a head injury, which resulted in Concussion protocols by the team. He is set to return post-FIBA break.
MELBOURNE UNITED
1. Shea Ili | 184CM | 88KG | GUARD | 33 YRS
Injury: Hamstring
Current Status: 2-3 weeks
Notes: Shea Ili just returned to action last weekend but has since re-injured his hamstring during a training session. The club has confirmed he will be out for 2-3 weeks.
Shea Ili has been ruled out yet again with a hamstring injury.Source: Getty Images
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
Currently no injuries.
PERTH WILDCATS
1. Jaron Rillie | 191CM | 75K | GUARD | 24 YRS
Injury: Hamstring
Current Status: 6-8 weeks.
Notes: Jarron Rillie suffered a hamstring injury in a team practice session – the team has confirmed he will be out for up to 8 weeks.
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
1. Hunter Maldonado
Injury: Concussion
Current Status: 1-2 weeks.
Notes: Hunter Maldonado suffered a head injury on November 8th against Melbourne United – he will not return to the roster until after the FIBA break.
2. Malique Lewis
Injury: Pneumothorax
Current Status: TBC
Notes: Malique Lewis is suffering from Pneumothorax, a condition that the affects lungs.
Malique Lewis of the Phoenix has been diagnosed with Pneumothorax.Source: Getty Images
SYDNEY KINGS
1. Matthew Dellavedova | 193CM | 91KG | GUARD | 35 YRS
Injury: Illness
Current status: TBC
Notes: Matthew Dellavedova fell ill prior to Sydney’s match against Illawarra – there is no timetable on his return.
2. Shaun Bruce | 192CM | 87KG | GUARD | 34 YRS
Injury: Calf
Current status: TBC
Notes: Shaun Bruce injured his calf during a training session and missed round 9. There is no timetable on a return yet.
3. Keli Leaupepe | 199CM | 111KG | FORWARD | 25 YRS
Injury: ACL
Current status: Out of the season.
Notes: The Sydney Kings confirmed that Keli Leaupepe had torn his ACL during training on the 2nd September. He will not participate in NBL26.
4. Jason Spurgin | 211CM | 102KG | CENTRE | 21 YRS
Injury: Foot
Current status: Out of the season.
Notes: During a pre-season training session, Jason Spurgin injured his foot – which required surgery. He is out for the season.
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS
Will Magnay | 208CM | 111KG | CENTRE | 27 YRS
Injury: Knee
Current status: TBC
Notes: Will Magnay is currently suffering bone bruising on his knee, which is a tough injury to heal. There is a chance he is out for the remainder of the season, but the team has confirmed he is a GTD this weekend.
Will Magnay is expected to return this round.Source: Getty Images
2. Anthony Drmic | 198CM | 91KG | FORWARD | 33 YRS
Injury: Back
Current status: 3-4 weeks
Notes: Anthony Drmic has been dealing with this back injury all season now. Scott Roth made comments that there is a chance he might miss the whole season, but for now he remains optimistic.
3. Kobe Williamson | 198CM | 91KG | FORWARD | 33 YRS
Injury: Back
Current status: 3-4 weeks
Notes: Anthony Drmic has been dealing with this back injury all season now. Scott Roth made comments that there is a chance he might miss the whole season, but for now he remains optimistic.
4. Sean Macdonald | 203CM | 102KG | FORWARD | 23 YRS
Injury: Foot
Current status: 6 weeks.
Notes: Kobe Williams has injured his foot during a training session. The club has confirmed that he will be out for up to 6 weeks.
