Melbourne United wins NBL Blitz amid injury concerns

Melbourne United secured the CODE Sports NBL Blitz pre-season championship following a series of victories against Perth and Illawarra. Luke Travers, who earned the Ray Borner Award as tournament MVP, described the squad as the deepest in the league following an intensive off-season recruiting period.

Despite the championship win, the team faces significant injury concerns heading into the NBL season opener on September 19 against Adelaide. Players currently managing injuries include Cole Anthony (calf), Shea Ili (hamstring), Sam Waardenburg (ankle), Chris Goulding (finger), and Josh Oduro (ankle).

Head coach Jacob Chance expressed optimism regarding the roster's depth, noting that Joe Ingles has returned to full practice after recovering from an ankle injury. The team aims to integrate new signings, including former NBA players Cole Anthony and Joe Ingles, as they prepare for the regular season.