By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Spain cruised past Lebanon and started the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Valencia with a convincing win, but suffered a setback during the first half of the game.
Panathinaikos forward Juancho Hernangomez felt discomfort in his adductor muscle and didn’t return to the court in the second half. Spanish national team head coach, Sergio Scariolo, confirmed that Hernangomez had adductor issues.
“Juancho has had pain in his adductor muscle. He will undergo tests. Until they are done, I cannot say anything more,” admitted Scariolo after the game.
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Tests will show the severity of the injury and whether Hernangomez will be able to help Spain in the rest of the Valencia tournament.
If not, Scariolo will be left only with Xabi Lopez-Arostegui at the No. 3 position, since Alex Abrines got injured before the tournament and was left out of the final list due to a small fibrillar tear in the hamstring.
Juancho returned from the NBA to Europe last summer and joined Panathinaikos, winning the EuroLeague and Greek championship in his first season. He had a few injuries throughout the season and averaged 4.3 points and 3.5 rebounds in the EuroLeague, as well as 8.8 points and 6.1 rebounds in the domestic competition.