By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos forward James Gist will travel to Spain with his team for the first two games of the EuroLeague playoffs against defending champion Real Madrid but it’s doubtful if he will actually participate in the matches.
“James Gist may not play. That’s a big miss for us. So the other guys need to step up,” Panathinaikos coach Rick Pitino told reporters during the team’s departure from Greece.
Gist suffered bone bruise in Saturday’s (13/4) Greek League win over Promitheas Patras.
“He hasn’t touched the basketball. He hasn’t played a second since he hurt his knee. It’s not only the fact that he may not play. It’s trying to get him back on court to get back in shape. Believe it or not, outside of Nick, he’s the key to our team. He’s a veteran. He makes our defense go. He understands the offense. One of the smartest guys in our team.
Gist has been averaging 8.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists over 21:44 minutes in EuroLeague this season.
“We’re going to miss him certainly but injuries are part of the game. They’ve got Llull probably out,” Pitino added.