NZ Breakers captain Tom Abercrombie insists the latest setback to their Australian NBL preparations will only make his team stronger, with their season-opener little more than a week away.
Thirty-nine players and staff have been forced into self-isolation in Melbourne, after four returned positive COVID-19 tests this week.
Thursday's final pre-season encounter against Illawarra Hawks has been cancelled and the timing of their regular season opener against South East Melbourne Phoenix - currently scheduled for December 4 - may depend on the results of further testing over the past 24 hours.
"It's one of those things we spoke about before we left this year," says Abercrombie. "Whilst we knew things were going to be different, we also knew challenges and adversity were going to happen in one form or another.
"Somebody getting COVID was not out of the realms of possibility, so while it's unfortunate it's happened, I wouldn't say it's something we were unprepared for. We knew this might happen.
"At the moment, everyone's in good spirits. We're doing what we can, in isolation, to keep busy and keep in touch with each to keep the spirits up.
"We've taken a hit early on, but we'd like to think the guys are pretty resilient and can get through this."
The Breakers are certainly used to staying flexible and upbeat, after an incredibly disrupted 2020/21 campaign across the Tasman, where COVID-19 forced late game cancellations and relocation to stay one step ahead of the pandemic.
This season already looks as problematic, with all players and staff required to double-vaccinate before leaving for Australia, and star point guard Tai Webster released for refusing to fulfill that requirement.
After losing their first pre-season outing against Melbourne United, the Breakers have rallied to beat Sydney Kings and the Phoenix, with forward Finn Delany hitting a buzzer-beating three to ice the second win.
But Abercrombie has also suffered a side strain that threatens to sideline him through the opening month of the season.
"Super-frustrating," he admits. "Obviously, I missed a big chunk of the end of last year.
"It's been a long time since I've got to play some meaningful basketball, and I really needed those pre-season games to get myself back in to shape and form.
"It is what it is and I'll be working as hard as I can to get myself up to speed when I am able to rejoin the group.
"It's a really weird injury - a tear in the oblique is not something you see very often in any sport, let alone basketball, so figuring just how I can come back from that... it's pretty hard to put a date on it, until I can get back out on the court."
