Round 7 of Liga Endesa: Debuts and Doubts Before the Weekend
Liga Endesa faces a Jornada 7 full of medical uncertainty. Kevin Knox, Amidah Brimah, Isaiah Mobley, and Luka Scuka could debut with their new teams, while dozens of players remain in doubt or sidelined due to injuries and various physical issues.
The Endesa League reaches its seventh round with a complicated scenario in terms of player availability. Teams have reported a considerable number of confirmed absences and doubts until the last minute, which will influence the lineups for this round. Among the main highlights are the possible debuts of new signings and the return of players who have been out of competition.
New Signings and Expected Returns
The round promises movement with new faces. In Kids&Us Manresa, signings Isaiah Mobley and Luka Scuka could debut if they receive the necessary clearance. Scuka has already debuted in Eurocup, which facilitates his integration into the domestic game. Meanwhile, Río Breogán hopes to have Amidah Brimah, who was signed following the injury of Aleksa Ilic. His participation will depend on receiving the appropriate clearance.
In Unicaja, Kevin Knox emerges as the big news from Malaga. His registration would require the team to drop an international player, with Matt Thomas or Cameron Hunt as candidates. Hunt, although previously absent in BCL, has reportedly recovered according to Txus Vidorreta. Other upcoming returns for the Malaga team include Tyson Perez, Yannick Nzosa, and Alberto Díaz, whose recovery is progressing positively ahead of the FIBA window break.
In FIATC Girona, Isaac Vázquez had his first session with the team on Thursday after receiving medical clearance, although Moncho Fernández warns that his adaptation process might take time. In iLERNA Lleida, both Kur Kuath and John Shurna have improved from their physical issues and will be available.
Confirmed Absences and Medical Doubts by Team
Asisa Joventut will be without Ludde Hakanson, Ante Tomic, and Alex Reyes, who suffered a muscle injury in his right quadriceps. Boogie Ellis returns after his absence, but Eli Ndiaye is a doubt due to a sprain. In FC Barcelona, Yoan Makoundou remains absent. Juan Núñez, sidelined due to a sprain in his right ankle with an expected recovery time of ten days, might be close to returning. Mo Gibson is doubtful due to a bruise on his left knee after missing several training sessions. Olek Balcerowski will be available, as confirmed by Sekulic.
Casademont Zaragoza has Caleb Homesley and Jilson Bango sidelined due to sprains in their left ankles. Trae Bell-Haynes had been training with more consistency this week and will be available if there are no issues. In FIATC Girona, Pep Busquets and Maxi Fjellerup are confirmed absentees. Jassel Perez and Aljaz Kunc are doubts with minor injuries, according to Moncho Fernández.
iLERNA Lleida will be without Atoumane Diagne and Adrià Rodríguez. Dani García is a doubt due to ankle problems, although the club is not optimistic about his participation. In Kosner Baskonia, Marcio Santos joins Tadas Sedekerskis and Rodions Kurucs with a muscle tear in his left calf. Chris Duarte and Kobi Simmons will be available after competing in the continental competition.
Injury Crisis in Big Teams
Real Madrid faces a long list of injured players: Gaby Deck, Usman Garuba, Theo Maledon, and Mikael Jantunen remain sidelined. The latest addition to the injured list is Facu Campazzo, with an injury to his left hamstring. This situation significantly limits the options for the white team.
La Laguna Tenerife receives bad news with Ethan Happ's injury: a dislocation of the extensor tendon of the third finger of his right hand will keep him out for about three months. Rokas Giedraitis and Xabi López-Arostegui repeat as absences after not participating in Eurocup.
Valencia Basket reports that, although it had three absences in the Euroleague—Nikola Mirotic due to a muscle injury, Nate Reuvers with discomfort in his left foot, and Mo Gueye with foot problems—this last player could return soon after medical tests ruled out a serious injury.
Recoletas Salud SPB keeps Vlatko Cancar sidelined for an extended period and will also be without Ziga Samar due to a dislocated left shoulder. Retin Obasohan will enter his first squad of the season after debuting in the continental competition.
Situation in Other Teams
In Leyma Coruña, Tomas Dimsa's calf discomfort is subsiding, but the club finds it complicated for him to be ready, as confirmed by Carles Marco. Several players experienced colds during the week. Surne Bilbao regains Martin Krampelj, although Margiris Normantas is a doubt after a viral process. Ponsarnau mentioned "a couple of injuries” needing to be assessed until the weekend.
Monbus Obradoiro only reports the known absence of Olle Lundqvist. MoraBanc Andorra has Rafa Luz as the only confirmed absence, while Leon Radosevic participated in the previous round. In UCAM Murcia, Sito Alonso reported "small problems" that prevented some players from training, hoping to have the entire squad available against Real Madrid: "No player wants to miss this match."
General Analysis of the Round
This Round 7 is characterized by uncertainty until the last minute. Teams must resolve medical doubts that could change the lineups in the final training sessions. The potential debuts of Knox, Brimah, Mobley, and Scuka add interest to the competitive landscape, while long-term injuries in teams like Real Madrid and Tenerife pose significant challenges.
The upcoming FIBA window also influences the decisions of coaching staffs, who must balance player rest with competitive needs. Several clubs are counting on imminent recoveries after the break, while others face prolonged absences that redefine their tactical options for the coming weeks.
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