By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Preparing to face each other in Ulker Sports Arena later Thursday, Fenerbahce Beko and Anadolu Efes provided detailed injury updates a few hours before tipoff.
Specifically, Fener listed four players as game-time decisions, including Bonzie Colson (right knee) and Scottie Wilbekin (right knee), who have been sidelined over recent weeks. The same projections were made for both Devon Hall and Brandon Boston Jr. due to undisclosed injuries. However, Jilson Bango (left knee), Chris Silva (left quad), Arturs Zagars (right hamstring), and Melih Mahmutoglu were all ruled out for Round 25 of the 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season.
On the fellow Istanbul outfit, Jordan Loyd (foot) has yet to be cleared for action and has been listed as out, alongside Shane Larkin (groin) and Giorgos Papagiannis (left knee), with Rodrigue Beaubois (calf) labeled as a game-time decision. Also, Isaia Cordinier (back) and Vincent Poirier (knee) remain available despite their injuries.
“Of course, it will be a tough game,” previewed head coach Pablo Laso. “We are playing away against the reigning champions, so the game will be very challenging. Fenerbahce is a significant force both in Europe and in Turkiye. It’s also a derby. We know that if we want to compete with them, we need to play at the highest level. Despite the difficult situation, we will try to get a win away from home.”
“Efes is a very talented team. With Poirier’s return, they have become even stronger. Saben Lee has started to adapt to the team. The Istanbul derby is very important for us, and with the support of our fans, we will try to reflect our best performance on the court,” said the head coach of Fener, Sarunas Jasikevicius.
Behind a 16-7 record, the defending champions enter the derby in a tie with Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv on top of the standings. In contrast, Efes is tied with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne at 6-18 and at the bottom of the table.