Harvey Sidelined, Grida Makes Return

This article originally appeared on Hawks.com.au

Illawarra Hawks star point guard Tyler Harvey has been ruled out of the side's upcoming road game against the Adelaide 36ers with a back complaint.

He will be replaced in the side by Daniel Grida who will be making his first appearance of the 2021 NBL season.

Harvey left Monday night's game against the Brisbane Bullets late in the third quarter with what coach Brian Goorjian called 'back spasms'. The Hawks gun import did pass a fitness test to play against the SE Melbourne Phoenix last night - but could only muster 17 minutes and four points before Goorjian pulled the pin on Harvey to avoid further injury.

Harvey has averaged a tick over 19 points per game so far this season and has been a key cog in the Hawks rise up the NBL ladder.

It does however open the door for 23-year-old Grida to make a long awaited return after missing the first 19 games of the 2021 NBL season as he recovered from a torn ACL.

"Dan has been working extremely hard on his rehab for months and months. Everyday he comes into practice or the gym with the same positive energy and enthusiasm about getting stronger and improving his game and this is a great reward for all his hard work and perserverance," coach Brian Goorjian said.

"We've had a relatively clean bill of health so far this season so it's meant Dan has had to bide his time on the sidelines. But now with Cam [Bairstow] and Tyler missing, we'll be calling on these young guys, Dan, Emmett Naar, Lachie Dent, Max Darling to step up and help us get some important results both on the road and at home. And it starts tomorrow against Adelaide," Goorjian said.

The Hawks tackle the 36ers at 8pm AEDT on Saturday 3 April. The game can be viewed on ESPN, SBS On Demand and Twitch.