By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Already sidelined due to a shoulder injury, Joffrey Lauvergne has announced his decision to undergo minor surgery next week. Barring another setback, he expects to be cleared for action by the end of January.
Lauvergne, 30, was initially projected to miss at least four to six weeks, as Zalgiris Kaunas announced a couple of weeks ago. He has since remained on the injury list of the Lithuanian powerhouse.
The French big updated his status via a message shared on social media noting “after consultation with one of the best shoulder specialists in Europe, I will undergo minor surgery this Tuesday. This is the best thing for the continuation of my career.”
He managed to put in 8.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 0.5 steals per game over two appearances in the 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season. His side was 0-2 at the time of his injury and now down to 0-5 as the last remaining side of the 18-team field without one single win. Zalgiris, under the guidance of new head coach Jure Zdovc, must cope without him for several more fixtures.
“My return is estimated for the end of January, which does not fundamentally change the duration of my absence initially planned,” noted Lauvergne on his social media post, “Can’t wait to get back on the floor with the team.”
The approaching second two-game week of the 2021-22 Regular Season will travel Zalgiris to Israel and Turkey for Round 6 and Round 7, respectively. The team will visit Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv on Tuesday and Anadolu Efes on Friday.
Apart from the EuroLeague, the team based in Kaunas carries an undefeated 6-0 record in Lithuania’s LKL.