Brisbane Bullets’ Josh Bannan Overcomes Injury, Critiques Team Effort

BRISBANE, Australia — In a dramatic turnaround, Brisbane Bullets forward Josh Bannan went from fearing a season-ending injury to leading his team in a crucial NBL game, only to express frustration over his teammates’ performance.

Bannan, who suffered a knee injury during a game in Gippsland on Saturday, initially thought he might be sidelined for the rest of the season. However, scans revealed only bone bruising, allowing him to play in Wednesday’s home game against the Perth Wildcats. Despite his personal resilience, the Bullets suffered a 27-point loss, prompting Bannan to critique his team’s effort.

“There’s definitely a sense of frustration,” Bannan said. “We came out with some good intent, but there’s a patch where we started to try to save ourselves, knowing how many bodies we’ve got. I think that makes it hard to look at yourselves after the game in the mirror.”

Bannan, who scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 32 minutes, emphasized the importance of giving full effort, especially with six games remaining in the season. “You have to chase wins to control your own destiny,” he said. “Our intent has to be to win every single game so that there is no shadow of doubt that we’re in.”

The 23-year-old has been forced to play more minutes at center due to injuries to teammates Tyrell Harrison and Rocco Zikarsky. Despite the challenges, Bannan has delivered strong performances, scoring 43 points in the last two games. He attributes his recent success to a more aggressive mindset rather than the position change.

“The biggest thing has been a change of intent that I’ve had,” Bannan said. “Seeking physicality, growing confidence, and finding a rhythm has been a big part of it.”

With the Bullets aiming for a top-six finish to secure a playoff spot, Bannan’s leadership and determination will be crucial. The team faces the Cairns Taipans on Friday, a game that could significantly impact their postseason chances.