Ili’s hamstring setback rules him out of remaining league games

Melbourne United announced that Shea Ili would miss its remaining regular-season games after another hamstring injury. The club described a low-grade left hamstring problem and said the guard would face a fitness test before the team’s first finals game.

Ili had returned late in January and played three matches before the setback, his fourth hamstring injury of the campaign. The reigning two-time defensive player of the year had been limited to ten appearances, complicating coach Dean Vickerman’s plan to increase his minutes gradually.

Campbell Blogg was brought into the lineup. Vickerman, sidelined by appendicitis, was expected to attend the Illawarra match while assistant Rhys Carter again coached. Melbourne still needed results to improve its postseason position during the final regular-season fixtures.