NBA star Aron Baynes aggravated an injury concern by slipping in his bathroom and is out of the rest of the Boomers’ Olympic Games matches.
Baynes was taken to a local hospital where he underwent tests. He is expected to recover in a few weeks.
The loss of Baynes will be a considerbale blow for the Boomers, who have won both pool matches so far without setting the court on fire in Tokyo, and are seeking a first ever Olympic medal in men’s basketball.
The Australian team’s chief doctor David Hughes said Baynes was injured during the win over Italy but exacerbated the issue later.
Aron Baynes (Photo by Getty Images)
“It was a complicated series of events,” Hughes was quuoted as saying by Fox Sports.
“He did suffer an injury during the match on the court, and then he had a slip in the bathroom and suffered further injury.
“It became apparent to the medical staff that this was a bit more serious than just an average injury.”
“I am really disappointed that I can’t continue in the Olympics,” Baynes said.
“I along with the rest of the team have been working so hard in our quest for a historic Olympic medal and I am gutted that I can’t complete the journey with the boys’, but I have every confidence that they will get the job done”.
Baynes, who plays for the Toronto Raptors, had 14 points and seven rebounds in the 86-83 win over Italy.
Head coach Brian Goorjian said the team was upset for Baynes.
“Aron is a big part of our team and we are all hurting for him, but we have great depth in our squad and I have every confidence in the 11 remaining players,” he said, as quoted by the ABC.
“We will all stay focused on the task ahead … unfortunately, injuries can happen but this team is resilient and we will adapt.”
Boomers’ captain Patty Mills added: “His presence on the floor and physical play has been a big part of our identity for so long, and that will be missed.”
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