Bruton Out Three Weeks
Tagged in: In The News, NZ Breakers
Marc Hinton, Fairfax Media
Three weeks. That’s how long the New Zealand Breakers will have to make do without their mercurial point guard CJ Bruton as they get set for their historic title bid in the Australian National Basketball League.
Bruton today confirmed he had suffered a grade two lateral ligament tear in his left ankle in Saturday night’s groundbreaking 118-94 victory at the Perth Wildcats. It was the first time the New Zealand club had won at Challenge Stadium, aka “The Jungle”, and was their seventh straight road victory of the season.
The 15-4 Breakers are breathing right down the neck of the 16-4 South Dragons in an intriguing two-horse race at the top of the standings.
The injury will leave the outstanding point-man and two-time Olympian on crutches for the next 10 days and out of action for around three weeks. He will definitely miss the next three matches - at Wollongong (Jan 2), at Sydney (Jan 3) and at the table-topping South Dragons (Jan 10).
There’s a chance he could return in time for the home match against the Townsville Crocs on January 15, though that will depend on how well he rehabs the damaged ankle.
Bruton cut a rueful figure at Breakers training today as he announced his status alongside club physio Anousith Bouaaphone whom he’s been getting to know pretty well in recent weeks. Bruton was already carrying knee and elbow injuries before Saturday night’s third-quarter incident where he rolled his ankle.
The 33-year-old three-time NBL title-winner said it was disappointing to miss a chunk of the season like this, but on the bright side he hoped it would enable him to get all his ailments cleared up before the business end of the season.
“We’re in a good spot with Paulie Henare running the show, with Corey Webster backing him up and the team in the position we are. The confidence in the group is good,” he said.
Bruton said it was “kinda sad” to miss the new year trip to Sydney where he had planned to catch up with his father (NBL Hall of Famer Cal Bruton) as well as siblings, but added: “There are things you have to do to rehab to make sure you’re right when the playoffs roll around. I’m still frustrated but better it happens now than in the playoffs.”
The likeable Aussie even joked that the injury at least had one bright side.
“I’ll be home for New Years, at Christmas I’ll have my foot up and obviously there will be a little less housework. My body also gets a rest after the Olympics. But I’d like to be out there playing with the boys. I didn’t come here to rest, I came to win a championship. We’re close to our goal but it’s not done yet.”
Bruton said the Breakers’ outstanding season thus far had not been a surprise to him, given the talent in the squad and the fact that the players were now carrying out their coach’s instructions (ie playing defence).
“If you make shots you’re there, but defensively we’re doing a better and better job which is what you have to do to win a championship. There’s always improvements to make, but I think we’re on par to get the championship.”
Meanwhile Henare, who will step into the starting lineup to fill the breach in Bruton’s absence, said he would just be “himself” in a role he was more than comfortable with.
“Already this year at different stages we’ve had a few guys miss games. Although it hurts us losing a class player like CJ we’re not going to go into panic stations and worry about anything,” he said.
“We’ve just got to move on which is how we’ve dealt with things so far this season. Hopefully he has a speedy recovery but in the meantime it’s up to me and the team to get the job done.”
Henare has spent the best part of four seasons as a starter in the NBL so should handle the step up in responsibility with aplomb. It’s likely sixth man Phill Jones will step into the role as backup point man, though development player Webster could also get a chance.
“I don’t think my role changes,” added Henare. “I’m not going to try and be a CJ and do something I’m not. It obviously might mean a few more minutes, but I’m just going to do what I do.
“I’m the team leader, I’m the organiser, and that’s what I do best. I’m going to continue to do everything but probably a little bit more of it.”
Injuries never come at a good time, but for the Breakers if ever there was a spell they had to be without their do-it-all point guard, this isn’t the worst.
Two of their next three matches are distinctly winnable, and there’s a distinct possibility that Bruton could come back stronger from a much-needed spell of rehab.
