By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
On the way to Turkiye to launch the first double-game week of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, Kostas Sloukas accompanies Panathinaikos and is expected to return to action.
Sloukas, 33, sat out last week’s games in Europe’s premier club continental competition and Greece’s Basket League with a left foot strain. However, he traveled with the team to Istanbul after being cleared to play against Fenerbahce Beko on Tuesday. An early-season reunion with a former team in a quick turnaround from the encounter with Olympiacos in Round 1 of the EuroLeague Regular Season.
Before being forced to the sidelines, the experienced combo guard tallied 20 points, three rebounds, and three assists in the losing effort opposite the Reds. He went on to suffer an early exit against Marousi in the opening week of Greece’s top-tier division.
Ioannis Papapetrou and Konstantinos Mitoglou are both out
After missing last week’s home win against FC Bayern Munich, Ioannis Papapetrou was limited to a brief outing against Peristeri bwin in the domestic league on Saturday. Dealing with left knee discomfort, the Greek small forward was ruled out for the trip to Turkiye. Another missing player, Konstantinos Mitoglou (left calf) remained stuck on the injury list.
With all remaining players healthy, the team coached by Ergin Ataman seeks to improve on the 1-1 start in the EuroLeague. Returning to Athens, the Greens are scheduled to welcome Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in OAKA on Friday. Domestically, they carry a 2-0 record.