The struggling Victoria Giants got what they wanted for Christmas at the 11th hour, with US import Adonis Jordan cleared to play in their national basketball league match against the Sydney Kings on Boxing Day.

Immigration authorities issued Jordan with the necessary paperwork late this afternoon.

Jordan was signed last Tuesday to replace sacked US import Dusty Rychart, but bureaucratic red tape kept him out of the Giants' losses to Cairns and Townsville at the weekend.

And the Christmas closedown of government departments was threatening to keep the sweet-shooting guard on the sidelines indefinitely.

The Giants, who have lost seven straight games to tumble to the bottom of the NBL and have lost stars Jamahl Mosley and Darren Smith through injury, were staring down the barrel of a thrashing by the Kings without Jordan's presence.

"Now it gives us a chance because it wasn't looking real good without him," said Giants chief executive and assistant coach Rod Hind.

"It's been a tough day. It's certainly 11th hour no matter how you look at it.

"But we're very happy that it's all done. He brings us a shot from the perimeter which we haven't had and also his experience in what will be a very young side against Sydney."

While Jordan will help, the loss of fellow US import Mosley with a broken hand for at least four weeks is the real worry.

Mosley has been massive for the Giants all season, averaging 20 points and nine rebounds as the only real week-in week-out presence for his slumping side.

Smith has torn a shoulder muscle and is likely to miss two matches.

Sydney (9-5), coached by former Victoria boss Brian Goorjian, belted the Giants (4-12) by 40 points last month, but have lost their last three matches to slip to third after being runaway leaders in November.

Giants officials also confirmed there was no prospect of the Vodafone Arena roof being opened for the match, no matter what the weather.

The match has been billed an an open-air game for the past three seasons, but weather has conspired to keep the roof closed for all but half a match.

This year both teams agreed to ditch the open air experiment.

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