The Breakers forward's eye appeared to have been partially dislodged in an accidental clash with a Cairns Taipans player.

NZ Breakers player Akil Mitchell has vision in the eye that was dislodged from its socket in a horrific incident during his team's game against the Cairns Taipans in Auckland on Thursday night.

Mitchell was taken to Auckland Hospital after the incident at the North Shore Events Centre.

Breakers general manager Dillon Boucher said that they had been advised by the specialists that while there was some damage to his eye, "the early reports are very positive that the injury is not as serious as first feared."

ANTHONY AU-YEUNG/GETTY IMAGES Players and staff members gather around Akil Mitchell.

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"Akil's immediate recovery has been such that he is being released to return home, but will undergo further medical tests tomorrow."

Mitchell tweeted just after midnight, saying he was "home and seeing fine".

ANTHONY AU-YEUNG/GETTY IMAGES Breakers players applaud Akil Mitchell as he is helped off the court after suffering a serious eye injury on Thursday night.

👀... too soon? Lol thanks for all the love, well wishes, and prayers tonight. I'm home and seeing fine, more tests tomorrow — akil mitchell (@ajmitchell25) January 26, 2017

"This is obviously the best possible news after what was a frightening situation."

With 7:53 remaining in the final quarter, Mitchell went down under the hoop, with sickening images revealing his eye had popped out of its socket.

SKY SPORT Mitchell dropped to the ground after he was injured. He was first treated, then assisted from the floor to a waiting ambulance.

A foul was called on Taipans import Nnanna Egwu against Mitchell.

Mitchell's teammates looked shocked at the extent of the injury.

Teammate Kirk Penney looked distressed when he saw what had happened, the colour draining from his face. Others reacted similarly.

SKY SPORT The other players looked on in horror as Mitchell fell to the floor.

Mitchell was first treated, then assisted from the floor to a waiting ambulance.

A break was called in play. Broadcaster Sky Sport refrained from showing replays.

Mitchell's face was covered with a towel as he was assisted from the court. He was warmly applauded by the crowd.

The Breakers were trailing 69-61 when the injury occurred. They lost 94-81.

Breakers assistant coach Michael Fitchett said Mitchell's injury was being felt deeply by all the players.

"When you have a serious injury it's a bit of a shock to the guys," Fitchett said afterwards, with head coach Paul Henare bypassing the post-game media conference. "They're just getting around each other at the moment and trying to stay positive. Everyone is feeling for Akil, and we're all waiting for information.

"It's a really close group, the team is really close, and we've got a lot of veterans in there and Pauli [Henare] is a great leader. [Owner] Paul Blackwell came in and spoke to the team too. The guys are just going to try and stick together and our thoughts and prayers are with Akil."

Fitchett confirmed the team had been offered the chance by the league to stop the game.

He conceded that the blow to the Breakers' playoff hopes suffered by the defeat was right now the furthest from everybody's minds.

"We're in a situation right now where we're fighting for the playoffs but it is what it is. We'll come out and we'll battle on Sunday [in Sydney] and next week and the last round, but tonight basketball is basketball..."

Cairns coach Aaron Fearne wished Mitchell a speedy and successful recovery, and admitted it had been a difficult situation for both teams, but especially the Breakers

"That was pretty sickening to see really for everybody in the stadium, and obviously those closest to the court. Our thoughts are with him and we'll reach out to him over the next couple of days," he said.

"It's always an extremely difficult situation to deal with. You never know how to deal with large stoppages like that. I thought we were very good, we were able to refocus and lock back in.

"It probably hit them harder than us because it's one of their teammates. It's a huge challenge to deal w that. But I don't want to take anything away from our guys, they were really focused, and had a really good next play mentality."

Taipans skipper Cam Gliddon added: "I didn't see it and I'm happy I didn't but a lot of the guys did ... Straight away you just feel sorry for the guy. You don't want that to happen to your worst enemy."

Boucher said he was "extremely proud" of the way the incident was handled by the Breakers organisation, "but in particular the courage of the team and coaches in completing tonight's game.

"I would like to thank all the fans also for their messages of support, we will update further once we have more information, but this is good initial news for Akil, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with him for a full recovery."