By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Olympiacos is dealing with a significant roster adjustment as they head into the heart of their best-of-five series in the Playoffs of the 2025-26 edition of the EuroLeague without the services of Tyson Ward.
The versatile forward, a key part in Georgios Bartzokas’ rotation, has been sidelined by persistent back issues that surfaced during the team’s dominant victory in the series opener at the Peace and Friendship Stadium. After starting Game 1, Ward was forced to an early exit in the first quarter, and the lingering discomfort ultimately prevented him from joining the team’s flight to Monaco.
The loss of the 28-year-old Tampa native strips the Reds of a seasoned two-way wing who has appeared in 71 EuroLeague contests over the last two seasons. Ward’s season averages of 7.0 points and 2.9 rebounds only tell part of the story, as his defensive flexibility and ability to guard multiple positions have been hallmarks of the Olympiacos system this year. With Keenan Evans already out long-term following Achilles surgery, the absence of Ward thins the bench further, forcing Bartzokas to lean more heavily on his remaining wing depth and tighten his defensive schemes.
Despite the setback, Olympiacos showed remarkable resilience by clinching Game 2 to establish a commanding 2–0 series lead. As the scene shifts to the Salle Gaston Medecin for Game 3 on Tuesday, the medical staff remains focused on Ward’s rehabilitation. While the Greek side is just one win away from securing their ticket to the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four Athens, presented by Etihad, having a healthy Ward back in the lineup remains a priority for the challenges that lie ahead in the championship rounds.