By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Injury-plagued Anadolu Efes defeated Petkim to take the top spot in the Turkish BSL, without Will Clyburn and Shane Larkin. While Larkin was rested, the experienced forward suffered an injury in last week’s EuroLeague encounter with Crvena Zvezda, and it was reported he’ll be out for two weeks. As the Turkish champions announced, the situation is much more worrying.
Clyburn is expected to miss six weeks of action, and additionally, Rodrigue Beaubois also got injured in the match against Petkim, and he could be out for about three weeks.
“Rodrigue Beaubois is receiving treatment for the injury he suffered in the upper back muscle area, and Will Clyburn, for the injury he sustained in the sole of his foot. Our team doctor Ugur Dilicikik stated that Beaubois would be out of action for about three weeks and Clyburn would be out of action for about six weeks,” per the official announcement.
It’s a big blow for Anadolu Efes since the injury list grew longer with Elijah Bryant (plantar fascia, on the verge of the return), Tibor Pleiss (calf, one week), Derek Willis (right-hand surgery, six weeks), and Ante Zizic (calf, out vs PAO) already out. In addition, Dogus Ozdemiroglu (knee) is expected to miss the entire 2023-24 season.
After the game against Crvena Zvezda, even before the situation with Clyburn was revealed and Beaubois got injured, coach Erdem Can admitted the team is looking for solutions on the market, with center Daniel Oturu expected to join the team and the club officially announcing the deal three days after the initial report by Eurohoops.
“Everyone has injuries, but we had to react. We are looking for more players for the team because we lack them in the long run. One to two months is a lot for the EuroLeague. In December, we have 12 games in the league and the EuroLeague. We are seeking solutions,” Can said before the situation complicated even further.
Anadolu Efes is currently leading the BSL with a 9-1 score, while in the EuroLeague, before the double week matches against Panathinaikos and ALBA Berlin, the Istanbul side is sitting at the No. 14 spot in the standings with a 5-6 record.