The Otago Nuggets took a cautious approach with their star centre.
Sam Timmins did not play in yesterday’s big loss to the Taranaki Mountainairs in New Plymouth.
It came a day after the 2.11m big man hurt his knee in a 29-point, 25 rebounds performance in an overtime win against the Manawatu Jets in Palmerston North.
"I guess we don’t know what the matter is," Nuggets coach Brent Matehaere said.
"He sort of feels OK.
"But if there’s something in there, and from personal experience with my own child [Otago Gold Rush player Hannah Matehaere], they go out and they’re no good and it gets worse.
"If I have learnt anything it’s basically tread carefully in these situations and make sure we get the best information before we push forward."
Matehaere had been happy with the way the side found a way to win on Saturday.
It had been down by six points with 90 seconds to play, and he said the side came together in tough moments.
He said the side was disappointed with its display yesterday and was reluctant to use travel as an excuse.
He felt the effort had been there, but the side did not deal with the Taranaki physicality.
Likewise he said its defence had been stretched and the hosts did a good job of taking the driving lanes, passing to open players and hitting shots.
It left the Nuggets unsettled and that flowed into their offence.
