By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Competing without Nikola Mirotic will soon be a thing of the past for FC Barcelona.
Mirotic, 31, was part of Saturday’s practice, the team announced. The reigning season MVP of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague being cleared for game action is the next step.
Knocked down by an Achilles tendon injury in his left leg, he has yet to make an appearance in the 2022-23 season. Minus Mirotic, the team coached by Sarunas Jasikevicius has prevailed in five of the eight EuroLeague outings and is tied for fourth in the standings. In Spain’s Liga Endesa, the 6-1 start is tied for first place with Lenovo Tenerife.
Mirotic is not expected to play in the Catalonia derby against Joventut Badalona tomorrow, Sunday. But making his season debut during the upcoming double-game week of the EuroLeague is a real possibility, barring an unexpected setback. Barca will play host to Partizan Mozzart Bet and Cazoo Baskonia Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.
Also on the injury list, Kyle Kuric recently resumed working out after suffering a head injury in early October but has been dealing with shoulder discomfort. He has yet to be cleared for game action. Earlier in the season, the experienced swingman logged two appearances averaging 6.5 points and 1.5 rebounds per ACB game.
Early in recovery from surgery in his left knee, Sergi Martinez will miss at least three more months of action. The 23-year-old forward registered a couple of brief showings in ACB, before being forced to the sidelines.
The remaining members of the squad are projected to be available to play against Badalona tomorrow, including Nikola Kalinic despite the argument with head coach Jasikevicius and early exit from the EuroLeague Round 8 game versus Anadolu Efes Thursday. “Nikola disrespected the team. We’ll deal with it internally,” noted the Lithuanian tactician following the loss to the back-to-back EuroLeague champions.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net