By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After splitting wins with Panathinaikos Aktor in Athens, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv hopes to regain the lead in the best-of-five series of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs and clinch a berth in the Final Four next week in Belgrade.
Tallying 15 points and seven assists in Game 1, Wade Baldwin IV suffered a setback and sat out Game 2 on Thursday. Dealing with a left hamstring injury, he seems questionable for Game 3, especially following an update provided by the Yellows on Friday. Looking to be cleared for the rest of the series, the Vanderbilt product traveled to Croatia to continue treatment and is expected to rejoin the team in Belgrade on Monday, as noted.
Baldwin, 28, averaged team-highs of 17.9 points and 19.6 performance index rating per game in the 2023-24 edition of Europe’s premier club continental competition. Over 29 appearances, all starts under the guidance of Oded Kattash, his showings additionally feature 4.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per contest. A brilliant campaign, highlighted by being named as the most valuable player of March, and MVP of the Round on three occasions.
Ruled out of recent outings in the EuroLeague and Israel’s Ligat Winner with an ankle injury, Rafi Menco is also considered questionable to play in Tuesday’s Game 3. All remaining players are healthy.
On to Aleksandar Nikolic Hall, the series resumes next week with matchups on Tuesday and Thursday. Game 5, if necessary, would be played in Athens on 8 May.