Bleary-eyed Boone landed in Melbourne late Saturday afternoon, ahead of the Boxing Day blockbuster, after hefty delays in transit from New York City.

The regulation six-hour cross-country journey more than doubled when Boone’s flight was diverted from LAX to a nearby airport with passengers forced to ride out the delay on the plane.

While on the tarmac, the former New Jersey Net, signed as an injury replacement for Devin Williams (knee) and David Andersen (knee), was texting United officials about his predicament.

Boone finally made it to LAX — 13 hours after leaving New York — but not in time to make the flight to Australia.

With no team practice on Christmas Day, the 208cm centre went into the must-win game against Brisbane Bullets jet-lagged and cold.

Not that it showed on the floor.

Boone played 19 productive minutes off the bench, finishing with seven points and a game-high 10 rebounds in the 97-59 rout that rocketed United from last to fourth on the NBL ladder.

“Tired. Tired. It’s been a really long trip between flight delays and cancellations but ultimately I’m just happy to be here,” Boone said after last night’s United win.

“I’ve been sitting at home doing workouts and trying to stay ready the best I can but, ultimately, you can’t really stay in game shape unless you play games.”

Boone issued a warning to NBL rivals that his — and United’s — best was still to come.

“I think the more that I’m playing and the more I’m with the team the better I’m going to start to be,” Boone said.

“I wasn’t really satisfied with how I played tonight, quite honestly, but it’s going to come, it’s just a matter of timing.”

United travels to Cairns for a clash with the Taipans on Thursday, before returning to Melbourne to play the Adelaide 36ers at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on New Year’s Day.

Hisense Arena is unavailable until the end of the Australian Open.