By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
An improved situation for Olympiacos, heading to the Playoffs of the 2024-25 installment of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
After spending one month on the injury list, Luca Vildoza recovered from a left hamstring setback and practiced without limitations on Friday. Before being forced to the sidelines, the 29-year-old Argentine guard logged 27 appearances, including nine starts in his seventh EuroLeague journey, tallying 5.3 points, 2.6 assists, 1.6 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 0.1 blocks per contest.
Meanwhile, Thomas Walkup worked out without contact, confirming projected progress in rehab of a back injury. The 32-year-old American-born naturalized Greek guard put in 4.6 points, 4.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 0.2 blocks per contest over 20 appearances in the ongoing continental campaign, including 19 starts.
The winner of a Play-In Showdown matchup between Real Madrid and FC Bayern Munich in Movistar Arena later Friday will clinch the eighth seed on the playoff bracket of Europe’s premier club continental competition and move on to face top-seeded Olympiacos in a best-of-five series for a ticket to the Final Four. Vildoza has been medically cleared by the Reds, but Walkup is expected to remain sidelined for Game 1, at least.
Nevertheless, additional healthy options emerge for head coach Giorgos Bartzokas, down the stretch of the EuroLeague season. At the domestic level, his side awaits the winner of a do-or-die Game 3 between AEK Betsson and PAOK mateco in Sunel Arena on April 27 in the Semifinals of the Stoiximan GBL Playoffs.