Star Sydney Kings signing Kevin Lisch looks to have avoided serious injury but the news wasn't so good for Adelaide captain Mitch Creek who could be out of NBL action for two months.
A dazed and bloodied Lisch was helped from the court by medical staff after colliding with Cairns forward Mark Worthington late in the third quarter of Saturday night's 92-78 win over the Taipans.
The 2015-16 NBL MVP subsequently passed standard concussion tests but received four stitches to a cut in his left ear.
The Kings on Sunday said Lisch was shaken up but had recovered well and may suit up for Thursday's away clash with the New Zealand Breakers.
"He is expected to be part of the team's full build-up and practice schedule this week," Kings general manager Jeff Van Groningen told AAP.
With the Kings boosting their record to 2-1 with the victory over Cairns, Sydney coach Andrew Gaze was just relieved his star guard didn't end up in hospital.
"It was scary," he said after the game.
"My heart skipped a beat when I saw him on the floor. Then you see blood pouring out of his ear. It wasn't pleasant."
Lisch earlier led the Kings to their first win under Gaze with an 88-84 victory over former side Illawarra on Thursday night.
The outlook is less positive for 36ers captain Creek, who is set to be sidelined for about two months after scans revealed he suffered a foot stress facture in the side's 98-87 loss to Melbourne United.
The injury is a major blow for the 36ers who are off to a 1-3 start to the season.
Club doctors advised the fracture will heal without surgery, but the eight weeks needed means he will miss about 10 matches.
Creek told the 36ers club website he heard a bang when he was running as the foot gave way.
"The pain was incredible, I played about two minutes with it until I knew it wasn't going to get better and subbed myself off," he said.
"It is heart shattering to know that I will miss two months of basketball that I worked nine months for."
Elsewhere, the Perth Wildcats clinched a 75-73 victory over the Breakers in a thrilling grand final rematch at Perth Arena.
The reigning champions came from behind to secure the win on the back of 29 points from star import Casey Prather.
In Sunday's action, Jerome Randle dropped 34 points to help the 36ers steal a 96-93 overtime win over the previously undefeated Brisbane Bullets.
Todd Blanchfield drained eight three-pointers as Melbourne claimed a 95-83 win over Illawarra.
