JackJumpers juggle injuries in busy schedule

Scott Roth says the Tasmania JackJumpers will need to push through their hectic schedule while managing the absence of some key players.

“Majok (Deng) is ten days to three weeks (away from a return), somewhere in there,” he said at Tuesday’s press conference. “Depending how he goes here in the next few days. ... he’s running… we’ll see how he progresses.”

Deng has been sidelined with a hamstring injury that’s seen the JackJumpers have to use some different rotations in his absence.

While it seems Deng will be back sooner than later, Roth says their star import guard is still a few rounds away, due to a calf injury.

“David Johnson is three to four weeks, or less, in that range. He’s just started to run.”

Thankfully for JackJumpers fans, Roth is confident he'll have his full roster available before the end of November.

“Before FIBA break we’ll have those guys back,” he said.

As they get ready to host the Sydney Kings on Wednesday night for the Ignite Cup, Roth will again call on injury replacement TJ Starks to help lead this team in Johnson’s absence.

With Starks heading to China after this short stint, Roth was questioned whether that next deal for the star guard could leave the JackJumpers a man down at some point.

“I don’t anticipate that,” he said. “The window for TJ is three or four more weeks with us and then he’s on his way. So that’s probably the window if there’s no setbacks with DJ (Johnson).”