Fri Jan 17 08:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Bullets’ Bannan Plays Through Pain, Calls Out Teammates After Loss
**Brisbane, Australia –** Brisbane Bullets forward Josh Bannan delivered a heroic performance Wednesday night, scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds just 72 hours after fearing his season was over due to a knee injury. Despite the impressive showing, Bannan’s post-game comments revealed a deeper frustration within the team following a 27-point loss to the Perth Wildcats.
Bannan suffered the knee injury Saturday night during a game against Gippsland, leaving the court while having his best game of the season. Initial fears of a significant injury were thankfully allayed by Tuesday’s scan, revealing only bone bruising. This spurred Bannan to play, resulting in a strong start against the Wildcats, where he netted 10 quick points.
However, the winless outcome left Bannan disappointed, and he didn’t hold back in criticizing some teammates for what he perceived as a lack of effort. He suggested players were prioritizing injury prevention over winning, a strategy he strongly disagreed with, stating, “There’s definitely a sense of frustration…We started to try to save ourselves… I think that to me makes it hard to look at yourselves after the game in the mirror.”
Bannan stressed the importance of a full commitment in the final six games of the season, emphasizing the need to win all of them to secure a top-six finish and playoff berth. He said, “You absolutely cannot afford that…Our intent has to be to win every single game.”
The Bullets have been hampered by injuries, with Tyrell Harrison missing multiple games and Rocco Zikarsky absent against the Wildcats. Bannan’s increased playing time at the center position has presented new opportunities, which he attributes to a more aggressive mindset rather than simply a positional change. Despite the setbacks, he remains determined to help the Bullets reach the playoffs.
First Piper 