Devastating Injury Blow for Tasmania JackJumpers in NBL 2026
The Tasmania JackJumpers are facing a challenging season ahead after star import Bryce Hamilton suffered a season-ending ACL injury, adding to their injury woes just days after losing Will Magnay.
The news comes as a significant blow to the team, which was already dealing with Magnay's season-ending toe injury. Hamilton's injury occurred during Thursday night's clash with the Sydney Kings, where he limped off the court midway through the third quarter and did not return. Scans on Friday confirmed the severity of the injury.
Hamilton's Injury and Its Impact
Bryce Hamilton's ACL injury is a major setback for the JackJumpers, who were already without Will Magnay. The team's General Manager of Basketball, Darren Smith, described the news as devastating in a statement released by the club.
“It’s absolutely devastating for Bryce and for our group - we’re all really feeling for him,” Smith said. “We were hopeful, with initial indications, that the injury was minor and that any pain could be managed by our high-performance team. However, scans have confirmed our worst fears, and Bryce will now work closely with our medical staff to determine the best course of action for surgery and recovery.”
Smith added, “Obviously, this adds to our injury list at a crucial time of the season, but we know we have the depth to finish the season well and make our fans proud.”
Race for Sixth Place Intensifies
The race for the top six in the NBL ladder has opened slightly following recent news that New Zealand Breakers big man Sam Mennenga will miss the next six to eight weeks with a wrist fracture. The Breakers are chasing Tasmania for the sixth spot, and Mennenga's injury is a significant blow for their playoff push.
The JackJumpers face the Illawarra Hawks tonight, another side firmly in the battle for the sixth and final play-in spot. With just 10 players available, the team could face a challenging night, especially since they looked like a genuine dark horse for this season’s championship just a week ago.
Breakers Dealt Another Injury Blow
The New Zealand Breakers have also been dealt an injury blow, with Sam Mennenga ruled out for six to eight weeks with a wrist fracture. The injury occurred following a heavy fall in the fourth quarter of their match against the Adelaide 36ers.
Breakers President of Basketball Operations, Dillon Boucher, confirmed the severity of the injury and the expected recovery timeline. “Sam sustained a wrist fracture following a heavy fall in the fourth quarter,” Boucher said. “Unfortunately, he will be out for 6-8 weeks to allow the bone time to heal.”
Other Injury Concerns
The Breakers are also managing concerns around Max Darling, who has been playing through a fractured eye socket while wearing a protective mask. “Max will undergo an MRI to assess damage to his knee sustained during the same period,” Boucher said. “He has shown true toughness to keep playing through his injuries.”
These setbacks come on top of the season-ending ACL injury to Rob Baker II, suffered at NBL HoopsFest, further complicating the Breakers’ push to secure the final playoff spot.
Conclusion
As the JackJumpers and Breakers navigate their injury crises, the race for the top six in the NBL continues to be closely watched. The teams will need to rely on depth and resilience to overcome these challenges and make their fans proud.
