Basketball On The Internet.

AS NBL titleholder Tasmania prepares tonight to face Melbourne United, the club it conquered in an epic 2024 Championship Series, spare a thought not only for the JackJumpers' injury-jaded Paris Olympics centre Will Magnay but also incoming import Ian Hummer.

In their three seasons that yielded a Grand Final Series, a Semi Final Series and a Championship, the Jackies have been admirably resolute in not changing imports in-season.

Releasing Craig Sword was a tough decision because when he was recruited to add to the Ants' defensive structure, Australian basketball's 2024 "Man of the Year" - Jack McVeigh - still was part of the organisation.

But the NBA came calling and post-Olympics, McVeigh was lost to Tasmania. Then key backup guard Sean MacDonald was injured.

MacDonald's return and Tassie's five-match winning streak is no coincidence, releasing Sword for Hummer, a 34-year-old, 201cm forward, also a reflection the club has not lost focus on defending the title.

But no sooner has Hummer arrived and Magnay, 26, 208cm of rim protection and averaging a career best 13.8 points and 7.1 rebounds, fractures his toe in practice.

The prediction is he will miss between six and eight weeks, most likely costing him the rest of the regular season.

So Hummer suits up tonight for Tasmania no longer as the unexpected bonus, but with the onus on him to be immediately impactful.

Knowing how referees like to initiate new imports, you can only wish him luck.

Meanwhile for United, Chris Goulding and former Tasmania import Marcus Lee both return, strongly signalling an end to Melbourne's three-game losing skid.