By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Pachulia is ruled out of today’s (23/8) game against tournament hosts Greece and will see the game from the bench.
The 2017 NBA champion and captain of his national team played only two prep games ahead of the EuroBasket, both against the Czech Republic in Georgia. An ankle problem didn’t allow him to finish the second match and he has yet to step on the floor since then.
Pachulia’s condition will be re-evaluated to be determined if he can participate in the games vs Serbia (24/8) or Italy (25/8), the last prep matches for Georgia before the EuroBasket tournament that begins on August 31.
Ilias Zouros’ squad will remain in Athens before heading to Tel Aviv to begin the European Championship in Group B where it will face Lithuania, Italy, Germany, Ukraine and hosts Israel.
According to Zouros, while Pachulia is considered “questionable” for the EuroBasket at the moment, they hope that he will ultimately be available for the tournament. The Warriors center really wants to play and his examinations have been sent to Golden State for evaluation. His status for the EuroBasket will be decided in the following days, most likely by the end of the week.