By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Dropping the homecourt advantage to Partizan Mozzart Bet would probably be a minor issue for Real Madrid compared to Walter Tavares missing more action with a left knee injury.
Tavares, 31, avoided a serious injury, according to the update provided by Pilar Casado following scheduled medical tests performed Wednesday morning. He is considered day-to-day, as noted.
The Cape Verdean almost lasted 22 straight minutes in Game 1 of the best-of-five series before succumbing to knee discomfort. Staying on the bench the rest of the way, he was visibly frustrated about being unable to help the Whites. At the end of the day, Madrid was dealing with a 1-0 series deficit to start the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs and the threat of the leading player in Tavares being forced to the sidelines.
Depending on possible progress, the team based in Spain’s capital will decide whether EuroLeague’s all-time leader in blocks will be cleared to play in Game 2 in WiZink Center tomorrow, Thursday. Apart from the developing situation, Vincent Poirier (appendicitis) and Carlos Alocen (left knee) are expected to stay on the injury list.
The towering center joined the storied club in 2017, on his return to Spain from the NBA and 13 games played between the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers. Establishing himself as a dominant force, he became a EuroLeague champion in 2018, was named EuroLeague Best Defender in 2019 and 2021, and made the All-EuroLeague First Team in 2021 and 2022, among other distinctions.
Photo Credit: EuroLeagueBasketball.net