Adelaide star out of NBL grand final series
Adelaide’s quest for the NBL title has taken a massive hit with star Josh Childress ruled out of the series against Melbourne with a fractured shoulder.
Josh Childress was injured during game two of the NBL finals between the Adelaide 36ers and Melbourne United. Photo: David Mariuz / AAP
The US import was initially cleared of any structural damage following after a collision with United’s David Barlow midway through the fourth quarter of the Sixers’ victory on Sunday.
With the series one-all, he was expected to only miss Friday night’s match in Melbourne.
However he has been ruled out for the series after a CT scan revealed an unusual pattern scapula fracture.
He won’t require surgery.
It’s a huge blow, with the 34-year-old forward Adelaide’s second most important player behind MVP Mitch Creek.
Childress arrived in Australia in October as injury-replacement for Alan Wiggins and has proved a match-winner, steering Adelaide into the grand final with his semi-final heroics against Perth.
Meanwhile, 36ers coach Joey Wright has been fined $5000 after comments he made after game one of playoffs against the Wildcats.
The NBL issued a statement today, saying comments Wright made about the league in the post-game media conference were “inappropriate and warranted a sanction”.
Adelaide have accepted the penalty.
-AAP
