Chima Moneke provides worrisome injury update: 'I don't feel good' / News - Basketnews.com

Chima Moneke clarified his injury, criticized the schedule, and described the feelings of watching his team from the sidelines.

Credit: IMAGO/Eibner - Scanpix Credit IMAGO/Eibner - Scanpix

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteizhave returned to the EuroLeague playoffs after a five-year break, but their journey through the first-ever Play-In Tournament was costly, resulting in the loss of one of their key players,Chima Moneke.

Moneke, the fifth most effective EuroLeague regular-season player (18.9 PIR per game), missed the crucial Play-In game against Virtus Segafredo Bologna, where his team punched the last ticket to the playoffs.

He also had to watch from the sidelines as his team lost90-74to Real Madrid in EuroLeague playoffs Game 1 on Tuesday night.

For a man of a competitive nature like Moneke, seeing his team's struggles from the bench is deeply agonizing.

"I hate it," Moneke confessed toBasketNewsafter Baskonia's defeat. "I hate it watching when I'm injured, especially being in the building [at WiZink Center]. I hate it so much, but I'm proud of them [my teammates] for fighting and, you know, that's one game. They [Real] have to win three. So, we aren't done. We can do it, you just have to believe."

However, the faith of Baskonia fans in reaching the EuroLeague Final Four is closely tied to Moneke's availability. He sustained an injury during the first Play-In game against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.

Initially thought to be an ankle injury, Moneke clarified that it's more complex.

"I don't feel good. It's not an ankle injury; it's like a

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