FC Barcelona basketball guard Juan Núñez and forward Agustín Ubal have seen their playing time evaporate at the start of the 2024–25 season across the EuroLeague and Liga Endesa, according to a report published by SPORT.
Injuries Force Frontcourt Shuffling at Palau Blaugrana
Barcelona continues preparations for Friday’s 20.30 local time (18:30 UTC) clash at the Palau Blaugrana against Zalgiris Kaunas following a bruising 100-94 domestic league loss to UCAM Murcia on Sunday, SPORT reported. The defeat exposed ongoing defensive vulnerabilities and a frantic pace that a rebuilding squad is struggling to harness under a tight schedule. Sekulic has been forced into tactical gymnastics due to physical ailments sidelining three primary interior players. Josh Nebo, Tosan Evbuomwan, and Yoan Makoundou remain unavailable for the upcoming fixtures, compelling Finnish forward Olivier Nkamhoua and Catalan swingman Joel Parra to log heavy minutes out of position at the center spot.
Backcourt Logjam Sidelines Núñez and Ubal
While the frontcourt handles a rigorous medical casualty list, Barcelona’s perimeter rotations remain fully stocked, creating a severe playing-time deficit for Núñez and Ubal. Núñez arrived at Barcelona in 2024 following two productive seasons with ratiopharm Ulm in the German Bundesliga, inking a deal through 2027. However, injuries derailed his development, notably an external meniscus tear in his right knee that required surgery in March 2025, followed by an October setback that kept him sidelined until April. Despite Sekulic noting that Núñez provides essential tactical criteria and valuable qualities as a backcourt counterpoint to existing guards, actual minutes have been scarce. Núñez remained on the bench during a win against Anadolu Efes and a loss to Dubai, before finally logging 2 minutes and 28 seconds in an 82-95 victory over Beşiktaş, finishing with one rebound, one turnover, one foul, and a -1 valuation index, SPORT reported.
Agustín Ubal Shows Potential in Liga Endesa
Agustín Ubal returned to Barcelona five seasons after making his senior debut under former coach Sarunas Jasikevicius, arriving as a homegrown “cupo” player following a strong campaign with Manresa under coach Diego Ocampo. Ubal flashed his potential in the Liga Endesa against Leyma Coruña, contributing three points, six assists, two steals, and a +13 valuation in nearly 14 minutes of action. Yet that performance did not translate into minutes during the subsequent loss in Murcia. Ubal has not logged a single minute in the EuroLeague this season, and his domestic exposure remains limited to 7 minutes and 43 seconds against Leyma Coruña, where he shot faultlessly for four points alongside two turnovers and a +34 valuation. Despite established defensive credentials, consistent opportunities have failed to materialize.
Barcelona Seeks Stability Before Zalgiris Kaunas Visit
Barcelona hosts Zalgiris Kaunas on Friday at 20.30 local time at the Palau Blaugrana, searching for stability as Sekulic addresses mounting physical fatigue and defensive breakdowns. With the club operating under severe interior constraints and the backcourt hierarchy firmly established around veteran guards, whether Núñez and Ubal can pierce the rotation remains entirely uncertain as the autumn schedule intensifies.
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