Scariolo: Adapting to injuries will be decisive in EuroLeague final

Real Madrid coach Sergio Scariolo believes the team's ability to adapt to a "new reality" of injuries will be crucial in their EuroLeague final against Olympiacos. "The capacity to understand what we can do, what can work, what we have to avoid, what we do have to exploit..." will be decisive, he said in a press conference.

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The capacity to adapt to the new reality that bad luck has proposed to us will have a decisive weight. The capacity to understand what we can do, what can work, what we have to avoid, what we do have to exploit...

The Spanish club faces the continental championship's pinnacle match without their pivots Walter Tavares and Alex Len, compounded by Usman Garuba's injury during the semifinal against Valencia Basket. "Our DNA, our history, both personal and organizational, does not allow us to be victims," Scariolo stated, emphasizing the team's competitive spirit.

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Our DNA, our history, both personal and organizational, does not allow us to be victims. We want to compete, we want to see what we can do, we want to try to use our weapons to play our cards and, of course, respecting the rival, the environment and their strength.

Information on Garuba's condition is still pending, but Scariolo indicated it appears to be a serious injury. He noted that the team must focus on its own opportunities, as wasting them would mean not competing. Scariolo, in his third Final Four appearance, acknowledged Olympiacos as likely the best team but stressed Real Madrid's presence is due to consistent growth throughout the season.

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Our information on Usman (Garuba) right now is that he is undergoing tests. We are not too optimistic. It seems like a serious injury, but obviously, when the team has complete and definitive information, we will communicate it.

Scariolo also reflected on his transition from the Spanish national team to Real Madrid, stating he felt it was what he was seeking. He aimed to find a team that could help him win the EuroLeague, a goal he hadn't previously achieved. Player Mario Hezonja echoed the sentiment, urging the team to fight for survival and focus on small details that decide games, believing in their season's work.

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The small details tend to decide the outcome of the game.