Having won the top game against the two best German teams, Bayern even extended their lead to a two-loss difference over the nearest rivals. However, there was little celebration among the Bayern basketball players on Sunday evening. The potential loss of their standout center this season, Devin Booker, just three minutes before the end of regular time against Alba Berlin (99:86/80:80, 38:41), cast a shadow over the mood when head coach Gordie Herbert called the team together for the final huddle of the evening in the Munich locker room.
The final diagnosis of the American player's knee injury is expected to be available late Tuesday or Wednesday morning after further examination. Booker (15.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG) will not be part of the current EuroLeague double-week, and there is still uncertainty regarding the participation of Shabazz Napier (muscle injury in the hip area). World champion Niels Giffey, whom head coach Gordie Herbert rested on Sunday, will be a valuable asset with his freshness.
Herbert: "We've been through this situation before"
In fact, with a 14-10 record, the German champions are unexpectedly in great shape ahead of their two home games at the SAP Garden on Tuesday against chasing Olimpia (8:45 PM, live on MagentaSport) and on Thursday against Lyon-Villeurbanne (8:30 PM). The upcoming trip to the home-and-form-strong BBL fourth-place team Vechta on Sunday feels a long way off.
"We're hopeful that Devin will come out of this without the worst-case scenario. Until then, others have to step up and we all have to stand together. We've been through this situation before when Vlado and Niels were missing. That brought us together, and it's always the moment when the guys from the bench step up," said Herbert on Monday afternoon. "Milan is a tough job anyway, because that's a high-level team with outstandingly talented players like LeDay and Shields. Coach Messina is one of my favorite coaches, but it's clear: This is a very important game for both teams."
National player Oscar da Silva said: "We are pretty well set up in the big position, and we now have to compensate for Book's injury as a team." The national player also sees the importance of the two upcoming home games: "Milan and Villeurbanne are about on par with us based on the current standings. Two wins would be perfect, but even Milan is a really strong team. I hope the fans will help us just as amazingly as they have all season."
Mirotic missed Olimpia recently
Against Italian champions Milan, Bayern managed a dramatic 79-78 win before Christmas, with captain Vladimir Lucic missing. Booker scored 23 points that game. But Olimpia is also missing a key player, as Nikola Mirotic has been out for two weeks due to an adductor injury. Despite missing their star player (18.3 PPG), the Lombards convincingly beat defending champions Panathinaikos Athens last week, 87-75, with Zach LeDay (15.8 PPG, 51.2% three-point shooting, 4.5 RPG) being named MVP of the game, scoring 33 points.
Forward Shavon Shields (10.9 PPG) and guards Neno Dimitrijevic (8.6), Niccolo Mannion (8.2), Fabien Causeur (7.8), Armoni Brooks (7.8), and the playmaker Leandro Bolmaro (7.7), who transferred from Munich, offer many options. In the big man position, newcomer Freddie Gillespie, another player with a Bayern past, is part of the rotation.
In Serie A, Milan had an easy game against Varese on Sunday, winning 119-92. LeDay confirmed his strong form with 26 points, as did Shields with 20. Veteran Causeur and Bolmaro were rested.
Upcoming FCBB Games
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Tuesday, February 4, 8:45 PM: 25th EuroLeague Round, FCBB – Armani Olimpia Milan (SAP Garden)
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Thursday, February 6, 8:30 PM: 26th EuroLeague Round, FCBB – Asvel Lyon-Villeurbanne (SAP Garden)
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Sunday, February 9, 3:00 PM: 17th easyCredit BBL Round, Rasta Vechta – FCBB
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Tuesday, February 11, 8:00 PM: 18th easyCredit BBL Round, FCBB – Skyliners Frankfurt (BMW Park)
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Saturday, February 15, 4:00 PM: Cup Semifinal, Syntainics MBC – FCBB (in Weißenfels)