Xavier Cooks will probably line up within the Sydney Kings’ historic Christmas Day conflict with Melbourne United regardless of the MVP candidate lacking the vast majority of their final recreation by way of ankle soreness.
Cooks aggravated a pre-existing harm in opposition to South East Melbourne on Sunday and didn’t play past quarter time because the Kings went down 113-112 in a double-overtime basic.
In the Kings’ earlier recreation, Cooks tweaked his ankle by by accident standing on an Illawarra Hawks participant’s foot however managed to return to the courtroom after having the harm strapped.
Kings CEO Chris Pongrass stated coach Chase Buford had eliminated Cooks from the loss to the Phoenix as a precaution and that had the sport been a playoff, the ahead would have performed on.
The ladder-leading Kings have Monday off and don’t play once more till they host Melbourne on Christmas Day, giving Cooks ample time to show his health.
“We would’ve loved him out there (against the Phoenix) but we trust in our medical team’s recommendations around how to manage these guys,” Pongrass advised AAP.
“But sixteen games (into the season), we can pull back on the reins. We’re in a good spot.
“Everyone ought to plan to see ‘Xav’ on Sunday.
“That’s my hope and expectation at this point but we’ve just got to wait and see.
“We’re going to do every thing we will to verify he is proper.”
Two years of discussions between the ownership group culminated in the Kings unveiling bold plans this July to host the NBL’s inaugural Christmas Day game. The fixture is a first of its kind for Australian sport.
As of last Tuesday, the Kings had sold more than half of the 9,500 tickets available.
“This is the week of the sport the place every thing begins to ramp up,” Pongrass stated.
“Sales have been constant throughout the final couple of months.
“A lot of the premium tickets have been the biggest sellers. I think people are thinking if they’re going to come to the Christmas Day game, they want the best seats.”
