The Spanish side will be without the services of its all-action big man due to injury
Baskonia's Chima Moneke out vs. Virtus
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Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz star power forward Chima Moneke is set to miss his team's do-or-die Play-In Showdown clash against Virtus Segafredo Bologna due to an ankle injury.
On Thursday morning, during the pre-game press conference, Baskonia head coach Dusko Ivanovic confirmed that the 28-year-old is unavailable for selection on Friday's game, which will be available to watch on EuroLeague TV.
"Chima cannot play tomorrow and it will be an important absence for us. We never cried before and we won't do so today or tomorrow," Coach Ivanovic said. "The team is feeling good. We have to feel good because we are playing a game after fighting all year in the EuroLeague to have this [opportunity]: to depend on ourselves in a home game and get the win in front of our fans."
How did Moneke get injured?
Moneke picked up an injury in the first half of Baskonia's play-in defeat against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. He hurt his left ankle and had to be carried to the locker room. Even when Moneke returned to his team's bench before halftime, he didn't get back on the court after halftime.
Moneke is averaging 13.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 34 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games this season, ranking sixth overall in PIR (18.3)