The New Zealand Breakers are likely to test the market for a new import after ex-NBA forward Zylan Cheatham suffered a foot injury in the loss to the Adelaide 36ers.
It comes as the Sydney Kings confirm wing Jaylin Galloway will miss at least three weeks with a shoulder complaint.
Scans revealed a stress fracture to Cheatham's right foot that the Breakers expect will sideline him for between six and eight weeks of the NBL season.
The diagnosis is a big blow for the reigning runners-up, who have lost three of their opening four games this campaign to sit last on the ladder.
Even if Cheatham was able to return later in the season, he could miss as many as 11 games if he required the full two months to recover.
A Breakers representative told AAP that given the side can ill-afford for defeats to pile up, it is likely the club will cast the net wide for a reinforcement.
Fellow imports Anthony Lamb and Parker Jackson-Cartwright remain available for selection, though the former is still acclimatising to the NBL having been acquired after the season began.
Without a hand being laid on him, Cheatham pulled up sore changing direction early in the fourth quarter at Auckland's Spark Arena on Thursday night.
Cheatham was unable to put weight on his right leg as Breakers staff helped him from the floor and later fitted a moon boot to his injury.
In an indication of his calibre, Cheatham's injury sparked a 10-0 run from the Sixers that helped CJ Bruton's side seize the lead and ultimately claim an eight-point upset win.
Elsewhere, Jasper Rentoy will replace Galloway in the Kings' squad to face Cairns on Saturday night after the latter injured his shoulder in last weekend's loss to the Tasmania JackJumpers.
He will be re-assessed in three weeks' time.
In better news, American ex-Taipan DJ Hogg returns from a shoulder injury for his first match at the Kings.
