ICE GEL Injury Report: Broekhoff, Sykes, Stephens, Pineau

Phoenix guard Ryan Broekhoff is hopeful of playing in Saturday’s Throwdown against Melbourne United after leaving last Thursday’s game against Brisbane with an eye injury.

Broekhoff was playing his first game back from a groin injury when he took a hit to the eye region in the second quarter and missed the remainder of the game.

He received stitches above his eye and dealt with bleeding and vision concerns but is recovering well.

“I took a stray elbow that required some stitches and due to some concerns with my vision we had to be pretty cautious,” Broekhoff said this morning.

“My pupils are different sizes due to the impact of the blow so trying to focus on certain objects hasn’t been great but it’s all coming back now and things are starting to look more normal as of this morning.

“I’m going to see the doctor today and hopefully get the all-clear to resume basketball activities.”

In a great morale booster for the team, Keifer Sykes and Kendall Stephens have returned to the practice floor this week.

Sykes is pushing for a return to play this week while Stephens is just building up his conditioning following a lengthy lay-off. 

Dane Pineau (knee) is still a number of weeks away from a return to the practice floor.

The fourth-placed Phoenix need to rediscover their mid-season form to consolidate their place in the finals, starting with the massive clash with cross-town rivals Melbourne United on Saturday.

“It’s been a bit of a rough patch for us,” Broekhoff said.

“United are top of the table and the in-form team of the competition so it’s going to be a big one for us. We need to get up for it.

“It’s a really big game that we usually get up for so hopefully we can again this Saturday.”

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Phoenix Media (04/05/2021)