By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Updating the injury status of Kostas Sloukas on Thursday, Panathinaikos Aktor head coach Ergin Ataman listed the experienced guard as doubtful to play against his former team, Fenerbahce Beko in OAKA Altion on Friday.
“Tomorrow it will be very difficult to use Kostas Sloukas, from what I understand,” noted the Turkish tactician, “We have to find a good rotation and good percentages in the offense.”
Cleared for play after a left adductor muscle injury, Sloukas returned to action against Aris Midea in Round 17 of Greece’s Stoiximan Basket League Regular Season. After sitting out just over two weeks, he registered five points, three assists, one rebound, and one steal over 18 minutes.
Missing the game versus Aris, Juancho Hernangomez (left thumb), Mathias Lessort (illness), and Ioannis Papapetrou (illness) are all expected to jump back into the lineup opposite the team based in Istanbul in Round 26 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season. All remaining players are available as well.
Sloukas, 34, spent five years at Fener before reuniting with Olympiacos in 2020. Last July, he switched to the opposite end of the eternal rivalry in Greece by penning a lucrative three-year contract with the Greens.
Averaging 10.9 points, 5.5 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 0.7 steals per contest over 19 appearances in the 2023-24 installment of Europe’s premier club continental competition helped the team guided by Ataman shape a 15-10 record, sitting inside the Playoffs zone with nine outings remaining in the 34-game double-legged round-robin schedule.