The shooting guard was due back on Sunday and was expected to be available for the game against the Giants in Nelson.
But he has not made it back from Australia, and that seemed to come as a surprise to the camp.
Coach Brent Matehaere said "from what I can understand ... he got asked to stay by the Australian coaches and to continue to help with their build-up".
"I guess he just made a personal choice not to come back. He might be back next week, but we aren’t sure."
Henshall’s absence is another blow for a Nuggets side down on manpower.
They have been without classy New Zealand guard Tai Webster since mid-May. He returned to the United States to be with his partner, Sydney Taylor, who was expecting the couple’s first child and has since given birth to a boy.
Point guard Dontae Russo-Nance missed the early part of the season with an injured wrist and has been ruled out with an ankle complaint since the 101-88 loss to the Taranaki Airs in Dunedin on June 12.
"The opportunity for Ben Henshall to be in the Australian environment pre-Olympics is really advantageous for him to further his career.
"But in terms of the Nuggets and our desire to get wins and to finish the season well, it does not really help us too much," Matehaere said.
Henshall’s absence leaves a big dent in the lineup. The Nuggets have missed his ability to hit three-pointers and lure the defence out to unjam the paint for star import Kimani Lawrence.
Without an effective outside shooter, the Nuggets have been a little too easy to defend.
They have been working on "different ways of playing" but it has also been about instilling confidence in other players to take shots.
The Nuggets leaned on Henshall heavily in that department.
"I think we turned down a few good looks against the Saints, so I think it is important to give the confidence to the guys, who have been putting the work in all year, to take those shots. We’ve seen them do it in the Rapid League.
"Kimani does draw a lot of attention inside and we need to give the faith to the guys on the outside," Matehaere said.
Another area slated for improvement is the transition defence. The Nuggets have defended reasonably well in the half court, but have struggled to slow sides in transition.
The Giants are coming off a 98-83 loss to the Southland Sharks in Invercargill on Sunday. Daniel Grida banged in 40 points during the loss and Matehaere singled him out as a player for extra attention.
"He is certainly a point of emphasis for us. He loves to get the ball and go, so that is going to be a challenge."
The Nuggets have lost their past four games and have drifted out of playoffs contention.
NBL
Nelson, tonight
Otago Nuggets: Darcy Knox, Zaccheus Darko-Kelly, Matthew Bardsley, Kimani Lawrence, Jack Andrew, Robbie Coman, Josh Aitcheson, Caleb Smiler, Joe Ahie, Benji Freeman, Matthew Pyper, Michael Ruske.
Nelson Giants: Alex McNaught, Kobe Langley, Sam Dempster, Daniel Grida, Ernest Kerr, Tom Ingham, Aston Inwood, Nick Davidson, Kaleb Chamberlain, Adam Barton.
