The German basketball players are worried about captain Dennis Schröder playing at the World Cup in Asia. The 29-year-old was substituted in the clear 100-73 win against Georgia on Friday and was unable to continue playing from the third quarter.
The German Basketball Association (DBB) could not give the all-clear. “He has pain in his back. We have to see what he can do today. We’ll wait until tomorrow and see how things go in training and throwing,” said head coach Gordon Herbert at the team hotel. Schröder’s mission on Sunday (1.10 p.m. / Magentasport) against Slovenia is open.
Against Slovenia to win the group
After four victories, Germany has already qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals and travels to Manila for the finals on Monday. Against the Slovenians, who are also qualified, it’s all about winning the group. The teammates hope that Schröder will be involved. “That would be very important. Dennis is our leader. I hope he’ll be better by tomorrow,” said Maodo Lo, who should move into the top five should Schröder fail. If there is one more game in this tournament that Schröder could sit out with relatively little consequence, it would be this one after progressing through. The knockout round for the German team begins on Wednesday.
Head coach Herbert’s team has already had to do without Franz Wagner in the past three games. The Orlando Magic pro is struggling with an ankle injury and has yet to do full contact training. His commitment against the Slovenes around star player Luka Doncic will only be decided at short notice.
