"It's a complicated situation. Trae (Bell-Haynes) has not trained for ten days, he tried a little yesterday and it's a day-to-day situation. All the games he has played so far have been with problems, and he has practically performed magic with the help of our medical staff, our health department and himself. His physical condition is what it is, and I can't tell you anything more, not because I want to hide anything, but because we live day to day with him," the Zaragoza coach explained about the Canadian point guard, who already missed the team's most recent game in Barcelona.
His potential absence would mean Casademont could be without one of its main figures both on and off the court. "There's no doubt that if Trae is physically able, he will want to play and we will try to make that possible, but it really is a day-to-day matter. Some days he gets up feeling well, and other days he gets up unable to play, so we'll see," García de Vitoria explained before his team faces two crucial league games in a row at the Príncipe Felipe.
THE ABSENCE OF MATIJA LUKIC
In this scenario of injuries and possible absences, the under-22 players who can complete the Aragonese club's roster come into play. However, among those potential reinforcements, Casademont will not be able to count on the biggest prospect from its academy, Matija Lukic. "That was the initial idea, but he missed part of the preseason and was not there the other day. He will not be available for this game or the next one either for personal reasons," the Zaragoza coach stressed about a player who is destined to go far in European basketball.
As a result, other under-22 players, such as Carlos Alías and Juan García, who already played during the final moments of the recent game against Barcelona, are expected to complete Casademont's roster. "Not being able to count on Matija (Lukic) disrupts our plans a little, but it means that other under-22 players who have been helping us train throughout the season can take on a bigger role."
