The Australian Boomers play their final group stage match of the Olympics against Germany. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6:20pm (AEST).
The Boomers’ medal hopes just took a big blow.
Ahead of their third and final Group B match against Germany on Saturday, the news that Aron Baynes has been ruled out for the rest of the Olympic tournament with a shock neck injury is seen as a major setback for the Australians who are chasing their first-ever podium finish.
AOC Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Hughes told media that Baynes suffered an injury on court against Italy but then took a blunt fall in the bathroom which caused further damage. Baynes was taken to hospital for further testing.
“It became apparent to the medical staff that this was a bit more serious than just an average injury,” Dr. Hughes said.
The left field injury leaves Australia missing a substantial piece of their core four which includes Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Matthew Dellavedova. This latest setback hasn’t completely sunk their hopes, but the Boomers do need everything to fall their way from here on in as they continue to chase a first-ever podium finish.
Germany will head into Saturday’s match against Australia with a 1-1 record and perhaps, with Baynes out, there is a whiff of an upset brewing. The Germans beat Nigeria 99 to 92 and pushed Italy in their Olympic opener. Even though most pundits predict a win for the Boomers on Saturday, this latest obstacle gives the game an air of uncertainty.
To cover the loss of Baynes, Australia’s head coach Brian Goorjian will need to get creative with his roster. Duop Reath is the only recognized tall remaining on their roster, but Nick Kay Jock Landale might be used in a three-way timeshare approach.
The ill-timed injury comes right on the eve of the knockout stages, but also it was just as Baynes was heating up. He was coming off a 14-point game that included seven rebounds, two three-points and was starting to look settled.
“I am gutted that I can’t complete the journey with the boys,” Baynes told the media. “But I have every confidence that they will get the job done.”
Tip off: 6:20pm (AEST)
Venue: Saitama Super Arena, Tokyo
TV: Channel Seven
Online: 7plus
Boomers
Patty Mills (c), Aron Baynes, Matthew Dellavedova, Dante Exum, Chris Goulding, Josh Green, Nic Kay, Jock Landale, Joe Ingles, Duop Reath, Nathan Sobey, Matisse Thybulle
Germany
Isaac Bonga, Joshiko Saibou, Maodo Lo, Niels Giffey, Jan Niklas Wimberg, Johannes Voightmann, Robin Benzing, Moritz Wagner, Lukas Wank, Danilo Barthel, Johannes Thiemann, Andreas Obst
Justin Robertson
Expert
Scorers for the Boomers: Mills 24, Landale 18, Kay 16. Big effort from those last two players.
Justin Robertson
Expert
And that's it. Boomers defeat Germany 89-76. They did it with no Baynes. The big question: is this the year they win a medal?
Rellum
Roar Guru
Great win by the boys. Need to rebound better in the QF
Justin Robertson
Expert
The sting has gone out of this game. Just 30 seconds left. Boomers up 13. The Australians will finish 3-0, on top of Group B. Not sure yet who they play in the finals. Have to wait to see how they reseed the finals teams.
Justin Robertson
Expert
Landale with 18 points, three rebounds, three assists. He's stepped up big tonight.
Justin Robertson
Expert
Landale with the dunk! It's party time. Boomers lead 89-76.
Justin Robertson
Expert
Germany smashing the offensive boards 17-9. This is an area the Boomers need to clean up.
Justin Robertson
Expert
Nick Kay with back to back buckets. Boomers lead 87-74. The Australians are starting to pull away. There's 1:41 left in the game.
Justin Robertson
Expert
Kay with the two and Boomers lead 85-74. Less than three minutes to play.
Justin Robertson
Expert
Landale gets the two. He's up to 16. Boomers lead by 11 (83-72).
Justin Robertson
Expert
We're back from the timeout. There's 4:54 remaining in this game.
Justin Robertson
Expert
Mills is the best on court tonight: has 24 points, 9-from-20, and five assists.
Justin Robertson
Expert
Mills again involved with Kay, a nice give and go for two. Boomers lead 81-72. A timeout is called.
Justin Robertson
Expert
Mills makes a run and lay up for two. He's up to 24. Boomers lead 79-72.
JGK
Roar Guru
He’s such a good player.
Justin Robertson
Expert
Germany hits a badly needed three to stay in touch. Boomers lead 77-72.
Justin Robertson
Expert
Mills with the long three! He's up to 22 points. Boomers lead 75-67.
Justin Robertson
Expert
The last quarter is off and racing. Joe Ingles gets back to back threes and his first scores for the night. Boomers lead 72-65.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Joe needed that
Rellum
Roar Guru
Can Josh Giddy replace Baynes in the squad, or is that it, bubble or not?