Hawks Happy with Robinson Cover

Friday, October 7, 2022

The Illawarra Hawks could be without import guard Justin Robinson with the foreseeable future, with the explosive 24-year-old set to see a specialist for his knee injury.

Robinson, who formed a lethal triple-threat with Sam Froling and Tyler Harvey in pre-season, missed last night’s victory over South East Melbourne, and head coach Jacob Jackomas has already ruled him out for the team’s next clash with Perth.

“Obviously [Robinson] did the injury in the Sydney game, went out the back like everyone saw and he played on,” Jackomas said. “He’s a hell of a tough kid, he tried to practice, and I was looking at him out the corner of my eye on the bench jumping around and running around and I was like ‘come on bro’.

“He’s going to see a specialist to find out exactly what it is.”

The Hawks handily covered the loss of Robinson in the win over the Phoenix. Lachie Dent was handed his first career start after his sharpshooting efforts against the Kings in game one, while Tyler Harvey handled the ball in a fashion reminiscent of his All-NBL selection in 2021.

“We’re in a good situation, obviously Lachie played well last week and Tyler was all-league first team with the ball in his hands so that’s a pretty good thing. We’ve got multiple guys that can carry that aren’t the point guard,” Jackomas said.

“George (King) can carry a little bit, Deng (Deng) can carry a little bit, Wani (Swaka Lo Buluk), ‘Mud’ (Alex Mudronja), we’ve got multiple guys there. We did a bit by committee but also having a couple of guys who can play in that spot no problem."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">He's a Tyler so you know he's not working with ?? <a href="https://twitter.com/YoungTRaaw?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YoungTRaaw</a> from deeeeeeeeeeeeep<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> live on ESPN via Kayo Sports <a href="https://t.co/rJnXhmPhPW">pic.twitter.com/rJnXhmPhPW</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1577966654763376640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

One player who likely won't be taking extra ball-handling duties in the absence of Robinson is former Charlotte Hornet Mangok Mathiang.

Mathiang has made a successful return to the court after almost two years out injured and is carving out an important role as the leader of Illawarra’s bench unit.

Jackomas has raved about the influence Mathiang and his fellow bench players are having on the group.

“It's a great thing to have. Mangok is playing a great role for us off the bench. He could start for us, he’s good enough to s tart for us and having those kinds of pieces in the second unit is a luxury to have as a coach,” he said.

“He puts pressure on Sam, George puts pressure on Deng, they put pressure on each other. It’s good pressure and it’s good competition to have in the group and it’s for the better of the group. Mangok’s doing it at practice and now he’s doing at the games."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We like to call that the MANGO SLAM!! <a href="https://twitter.com/mangok_mathiang?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mangok_mathiang</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HawkNation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HawkNation</a> <a href="https://t.co/boBde69FQ8">pic.twitter.com/boBde69FQ8</a></p>— Illawarra Hawks Basketball (@illawarrahawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks/status/1577948893014523905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Mathiang says he doesn’t care whether he starts or comes off the bench, he’s just happy to be playing again.

“To be out there doing what I need to do for coach and for the team, I look forward to it,” he said.

“I’m having a blast, from the warmups and everything you’ll see me out there just dancing, just happy.

“I’m grateful to be out there again with a great group of guys that have made it a lot easier for me to go out there, have fun and just do what I do. It’s been great and I’m looking forward to the rest of the games.”