Danilo Gallinari exits the game injured as Italy edges out Georgia / News - Basketnews.com

Danilo Gallinari went down with a knee injury in the fourth quarter, while Italy edged out Georgia 91-84 in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Italy went on a 9-2 run to finish the match and earned themselves a hard-fought victory against Georgia 91-84 (25-19, 18-19, 23-28, 25-18).

Player of the Game EFF 25 Simone Fontecchio Points 21 Accuracy 5-11 Rebounds 8 Assists 6

However, the hosts left the match with a casualty as Danilo Gallinari injured his knee in the beginning of the fourth quarter. The Boston Celtics forward was running to a fast break when he received the ball from Nicolo Mannion. After a few dribbles, Gallinari stumbled and grabbed his left knee.

The Italian forward did not return to the match.

The teams were battling neck-and-neck the entire game. With the score tied at 72 with 5 minutes to go, Luigi Datome and Marco Spissu scored two three-pointers in a row (78-72). Although the hosts had a 6-point lead (82-76), Georgia battled back and evened the game after Thaddus McFadden scored a three-pointer (82-82).

However, the Italians then went on a 9-0 run, and the winner of the match was clear.

Simone Fontecchio led Italy with 21 points on 5-for-11 shooting, while also grabbing 8 rebounds and dishing out 6 assists for 26 PIR. The injured Gallinari was second in scoring with 17.

Georgia was led by Goga Bitadze who scored 19 points on 7-for-14 shooting and grabbed 13 rebounds for 22 PIR.

Italy: Simone Fontecchio 21 (1/4 2PT, 4/7 3PT, 7/9 FT, 8 REB, 6 AST, 26 PIR), Danilo Gallinari 17 (5/6 2PT, 4 REB), Marco Spissu 15 (4/6 3PT, 5 AST), Nicolo Melli 12 (8/10 FT).

Georgia: Goga Bitadze 19 (5/10 2PT, 2/4 3PT, 3/8 FT, 13 REB), Thaddus McFadden 16 (4/11 3PT), Giorgi Shermadini 12 (4/5 2PT), Duda Sanadze 11 (2/3 3PT).

Danillo Gallinari's injury:

Simone Fontecchio's performance:

Full game highlights:

Thank you for being with us! Subscribe to BN+ and browse ad-free.