No Tate for Lightning, but familiar face returning for playoffs
The London Lightning have announced their 11-man playoff roster. A significant omission? Injured guard Jaylon Tate. His replacement? A familiar face: Chris Jones.
Jaylon Tate is out for the season with a knee injury. Returning to the roster for playoffs is Chris Jones (suspension) and Jordan Jensen-Whyte (injury) (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).
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The London Lightning begin their quest for a fifth NBL Canada title this weekend with a final playoff roster still taking shape in the waning days of the regular season.
Guard Jaylon Tate is officially out for the year. London fans have not seen the talented point guard on the hardwood since April 23 when a knee injury sidelined him, and despite the hopes of a late season recovery, he has been ruled out for the entire playoffs. In 18 games, Tate averaged 12.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game.
Replacing Tate on the roster will be All-Star point guard Chris Jones, who was reinstated by the team following his league suspension. Jones has not played a game since his on-court outburst in Sudbury which cost him the remainder of his regular season on April 14.
To make room for the return of forward Jordan Jensen-Whyte from the IR, rookie guard Josiah Mastandrea will be listed as inactive for the playoffs.
The Lightning will take 11 players into the playoffs, one shy of the league limit of 12. Per league rules, London was unable to add a 12th player after guard Ryan Taylor left the team on April 23 to sign with Canterbury Rams (New Zealand) after only two games.
The Lightning playoff roster currently includes:
Guards: Lance Adams, Jordan Burns, Jermaine Haley Jr., Chris Jones, and Marcus Ottey.
Forwards: Cameron Forte, Mareik Isom, Jordan Jensen-Whyte, Abednago Lufile, and Terry Thomas.
Centre: Amir Williams.
The 2022 NBL Canada Semi-Final matchup pits top-seed London against the fourth-seeded Windsor Express in a best-of-five series. The schedule is as follows:
Game 1 | Windsor Express at London Lightning | 2 p.m. Sunday, May 15
Game 2 | Windsor Express at London Lightning | 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 17
Game 3 | London Lightning at Windsor Express | 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 20
Game 4 | London Lightning at Windsor Express | 2 p.m. Sunday, May 22*
Game 5 | Windsor Express at London Lightning | 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 24*
* If necessary
Natalie Thirsk, a para athlete, has become a Canadian record holder in three short years. Her cerebral palsy doesn’t define her, but she’s a passionate advocate for persons with disabilities. Will she one day compete at the Paralympics?