Panathinaikos faces personnel crisis: Sloukas and Nunn absent, but Lessort remains the anchor

Hook:

In the summer heat of Rhodes, Panathinaikos step into a preseason friendly with a depleted roster. Six players are missing, including the two brightest stars – Kostas Sloukas and Kendrick Nunn – who are unavailable. Yet on the bench, Mathias Lessort remains, an unshakable pillar. This is more than an injury report; it’s the first sign that the 2026-26 season for the 2026 EuroLeague champions will begin with a tough puzzle: how to build cohesion when the most important pieces are in the medical room?

Context:

Panathinaikos, the traditional Greek powerhouse, is preparing for the new EuroLeague season. The preseason tournament in Rhodes is an opportunity for coach Ergin Ataman to test tactics and build chemistry between newcomers and veterans. However, an unusually long absentee list has disrupted the plan. According to unconfirmed reports, Sloukas (not ready), Nunn (meniscus tear), Nigel Hayes-Davis (metacarpal fracture), Nikos Rogkavopoulos (thigh strain), Giannis Kouzeloglou (muscle problem), and Moustapha Fall (posterior thigh strain) are all unavailable. Only Lessort, the core big man, is present.

Core:

The simultaneous absence of Sloukas and Nunn is the heaviest blow. Both are primary ball-handlers and shot-creators. Sloukas, though late in his career, remains the tactical brain. Nunn, in his prime, is the go-to scorer. Losing both means Panathinaikos has no reliable creator on the floor. This renders any evaluation of the offensive system meaningless – a point the original article’s author highlighted.

On the wings, the absences of Hayes-Davis and Rogkavopoulos strip the team of switchable forward depth. This forces Ataman to use oversized lineups or thin rotations, but in a preseason context, these signals are unreliable. Lessort’s presence is the sole positive: with Fall also out, Lessort becomes the only established interior big, making Rhodes a test of his fitness and ability to carry the load.

Contrarian:

Many view this as a genuine injury crisis. But a closer look at the injury classifications reveals a more nuanced picture: Sloukas is described as “not ready” – a term often used for load management in older players, not a serious injury. Kouzeloglou and Rogkavopoulos have minor muscle issues. Only Nunn (meniscus tear) and Hayes-Davis (fracture) have prolonged recovery timelines. In reality, Panathinaikos is deliberately crafting a “crisis” narrative to manage expectations. They want the media and fans to understand that poor preseason results are due to objective reasons.

Furthermore, publicly listing six absent players is a calculated media move. It relieves pressure and gives the coach room to experiment without fear of criticism. From a strategic perspective, this isn’t a crisis but a smart preparation for a long season.

Takeaway:

Panathinaikos will enter the new season with an unfinished core. But with Lessort as the anchor, and gradual returns of injured players, Ataman can rebuild from a defensive and interior foundation. The real question isn’t “will they recover in time?” but “will they have the patience not to rush players back too early?” If the EuroLeague season starts with a rusty Panathinaikos, rivals will exploit it. But if they know how to wait, this is just a passing breeze in a long journey.