By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Juan Nunez might sit out the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign due to lingering knee issues.
The head coach of FC Barcelona, Joan Penarroya updated the status of the 20-year-old Spanish point guard on Wednesday.
“It is unlikely that Juan will play for us again this season,” noted the 55-year-old tactician in a media session before a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague clash with archrival Real Madrid in Movistar Arena on Thursday.
The team later announced Nunez will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
The youngster was selected with the 36th overall pick of the 2024 NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers and traded to the San Antonio Spurs. Viewed as an intriguing future pairing with Victor Wembanyama, he signed with the Catalonia powerhouse in late July and can follow the French prodigy in a premature ending to the season, after playing through knee discomfort for several months.
With Kevin Punter (left shoulder) and Dario Brizuela (right ankle) recently joining Jan Vesely (right knee) and Nicolas Laprovittola (right knee surgery) on the injury list, only nine members of the senior squad are healthy heading to Round 27 of the EuroLeague Regular Season. Preparing for the next continental installment of El Clasico, the first game following the midseason break, Barca carries a 14-12 record, sitting inside the Play-In Showdown zone.
Bouncing back in the top-tier club continental competition of Europe, Nunez tallied 5.0 points and 3.4 assists per game with Barcelona and added 5.1 points per contest in Spain’s Liga Endesa Regular Season.