By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A setback early in the 2022-23 campaign for Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.
Darrun Hilliard will miss the following games after picking up a knee injury. Official confirmation and possibly a timetable for his return to action are expected upon further evaluation and medical tests scheduled for today, Sunday.
Hilliard, 29, was unable to complete the Winner League Regular Season Round 1 contest against Ironi Hai Motors Ness Ziona yesterday, Saturday. He reported knee pain.
Before leaving the game, he had six points and one rebound in seven minutes. Previously opening his fifth campaign in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, he logged eight points, two rebounds, and one assist as the team coached by Oded Kattash edged Zalgiris Thursday.
“Darrun is important to the team and also started the game well,” noted Kattash during the postgame press conference commenting on the early exit of his player, “Let’s hope the injury is not serious.”
Coming right up is a busy week for Maccabi. From a Winner League Regular Season Round 2 home game versus home Ironi Tax:on Kiryat Ata Tuesday to visiting Fenerbahce Beko in Round 2 of the new EuroLeague season Friday. More EuroLeague action with AS Monaco and LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne visiting Tel Aviv next week.
After a solid NCAA career at Villanova, Hilliard was selected 38th overall in the 2015 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons. He went on to play 91 NBA games between the Pistons and San Antonio Spurs, before using his overseas options and switching to EuroLeague in 2018.
Photo Credit: Maccabi Tel Aviv BC Twitter