By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Ioannis Papapetrou requires arthroscopy after dealing with left knee discomfort for the majority of the 2023-24 season.
Panathinaikos will sideline the Greek forward for at least six weeks. The timetable for his return to action can stretch up to two months, depending on the rehab process and surgery.
Papapetrou, 29, already sat out two games of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season. He was cleared to play in Round 2, tallying eight points, four rebounds, and one steal over 24 minutes in the home win opposite FC Bayern Munich. In contrast, he missed Round 1 against Olympiacos and Round 3 against Fenerbahce Beko, both losing efforts for the team coached by Ergin Ataman.
The initial brief return extended to playing eight minutes opposite Peristeri bwin in Round 2 of Greece’s Basket League Regular Season on Saturday. Reporting knee discomfort, he exited the game with surgery eventually deemed necessary.
Injury woes for the Greens extend to Konstantinos Mitoglou. The 27-year-old Greek forward has yet to feature in the EuroLeague or Basket League so far this season. Recovering from a left calf issue, he was cleared to join team practice on Thursday and is considered questionable to play against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv tomorrow, Friday.
The rest of the players are healthy and available heading into the bottom end of the first two-game week of the EuroLeague Regular Season. Ataman’s side will welcome the Yellows in OAKA Altion seeking a jump to 2-2 in Europe’s premier club competition.