The 2023-2024 season of professional basketball is back in full swing after a break for national teams to qualify for the Asia Cup. The break has allowed injured players to heal and teams to rejoin their squads, eager to make a statement.
There are only 11 to 14 games left for each team this season, which resumes on Nov. 28. While the six playoff spots are essentially set, with No. 6 Ulsan Hyundai Mobis holding a 6.5-game lead over No. 7 Daegu KOGAS, 텍사스홀덤사이트 the top six teams will be fighting for every bit of spring basketball advantage.
That’s why the return of injured players is so welcome. Second-ranked Suwon KT, who will be looking to replace their starting DB, welcomes back Heo Hoon (29). He joined the team after leaving the army, and even played with a protective brace after suffering a fractured nose last December. However, Heo hasn’t played since re-injuring his left calf on March 10. “He is currently pain-free and has even completed team training,” said a KT representative, adding, “He will start playing in early March.”
Third-ranked Changwon LG, which hopes to qualify directly for the best-of-four POs, is preparing for the return of Asem Marei, 32, who is expected to return to action. Marei has been out since injuring his knee on March 9. “The pain is currently 80 to 90 percent gone, and we’re working with the players to get a feel for him,” said an LG official, adding, “We’re planning to have him play for a short time in the first game in March to get him used to the feeling.”
Fourth-ranked Seoul SK is preparing for a late-season surge after posting back-to-back double-digit wins last month. Ahn Young-joon (29) and Kim Sun-hyung (36) are set to return. Ahn, who tore knee ligaments, is expected to return to action at the latest in March’s first match against Busan KCC after completing individual training. Last season’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kim Sun-hyung, who injured his right ankle last month, will also return in March to lead the team’s offense.
KCC will have the long-awaited return of Choi Jun-yong (30). Choi has been sidelined after injuring his right thigh muscle in a match against Anyang Jeonggwanjang on March 2. He underwent rehabilitation and played a full schedule of practice matches during the break to check his physical condition. With Jung’s return and Choi’s return, KCC is finally back to full strength. KCC is in fifth place, two points ahead of sixth-place Hyundai Mobis. “With DB, SK, Goyang Sono, KT, and DB on the schedule, Choi Jun-yong’s return will be a big boost,” said a KCC official.