Australian guard Matthew Dellavedova has been ruled out for up to four weeks, just as he was beginning to play a more prominent role for the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks on Wednesday (AEDT) confirmed the 27-year-old's right ankle injury - sustained during their NBA victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday - may keep him out until March 5.
NBA All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo twisted his ankle in the 109-94 win but is expected to play this week.
Before the injury, Dellavedova had been enjoying a marked improvement in game time under new coach Joe Prunty, who replaced the sacked Jason Kidd last month.
The Victorian, who averaged less than 17 minutes in December and January under Kidd, is averaging 23 minutes with Prunty at the helm.
He was set to play even more as the Bucks tried to cover injured guard Malcolm Brogdon, who tore a quadricep tendon last week and was ruled out until late March.
Milwaukee have gone 6-1 since Kidd's axing and head into Thursday's match against the Nets ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference.
