Arturs Zagars expected to return this season / News - Basketnews.com

Sarunas Jasikevicius provides a positive injury update on Arturs Zagars: "He will definitely play [this season]. He is not that far from returning."

Credit: LKL, FIBA Credit LKL, FIBA

Latvian national team breakout guard Arturs Zagars suffered a severe knee injury at the start of the 2023-24 season but has been making strides in his recovery.

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After a sensational performance in the FIBA World Cup 2023, Zagars tore one of the ligaments in his knee during the Lithuanian Basketball League game on October 14.

Upon the injury, he returned from loan to Istanbul and promptly underwent surgery.

Initially expected to be sidelined for at least five months, there is a positive update on Zagars' recovery. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul head coach Sarunas Jasikeviciusshared an optimistic outlook on Zagars' progress as he arrived in Lithuania for the EuroLeague Round 22 game against Zalgiris Kaunas.

"His table tennis skills are quite impressive so far, he is one of the best in the locker room," Saras mentioned with a smile. "What surprised me even more is his positivity. He is a genuinely nice person, and I really hope he succeeds. I think he is already running, and maybe he will be back in a month. The good news is that the injury is not as terrible as the medical staff initially thought -- it is a lot cleaner."

When questioned about Zagars' return to play this season, Jasikevicius reiterated his positive outlook, stating, "He will definitely play. He is not that far from returning."

Zagars had been a standout player in the previous World Cup, averaging 12.4 points (55.6% 2P, 41.7% 3P) and making the All-Second Team. He also contributed 2.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game, all in just 25 minutes of playtime.

Zagars improved the single-game World Cup assists record in the Classification Round game vs. Lithuania. He dished out 17 dimes and surpassed Toni Kukoc (15 AST).

Following his remarkable performance, Zagars signed a three-year contract with EuroLeague powerhouse Fenerbahce but was loaned to EuroCup's Wolves Vilnius for the 2023-24 season. Unfortunately, the injury led to his return to Turkey.

This isn't the first time Zagars has faced a recovery process, as he underwent ankle ligament surgery in November 2018, resulting in a sideline period until early March 2019.

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