Marius Grigonis’ Injury Woes Continue with Surgery Scheduled
Marius Grigonis, the Lithuanian guard/forward for Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, is set to undergo surgery on December 11, 2024, after battling a persistent back injury that has kept him sidelined for several weeks. Grigonis’ injury has been a major setback for both the player and his team, as he has not been able to contribute on the court since mid-October. Despite efforts to avoid surgery, the 30-year-old Lithuanian international has been forced to take this final step in hopes of a permanent recovery.
The Injury and Initial Attempts to Return to Action
Grigonis’ last appearance on the court for Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens came on October 17, 2024, during the EuroLeague Round 4 game against Real Madrid. Unfortunately, his time on the court was extremely brief—he played only 2 minutes and 24 seconds before having to leave due to a back injury. This injury not only marked a premature end to his participation in the game but also set the stage for what would become a prolonged period of rehabilitation.
After the injury, Grigonis traveled to Munich to undergo a series of medical tests to determine the extent of the damage to his back. The results indicated that the injury was serious enough to warrant conservative treatment, and for several weeks, Grigonis followed a regimen of rest and recovery in hopes of avoiding surgery. He remained hopeful that this treatment would help him recover quickly and return to the court without needing to go under the knife.
Attempted Return and Setback
After almost six weeks of treatment, Grigonis made an attempt to rejoin his teammates in practice. He was eager to return to action, especially as Panathinaikos had a busy schedule ahead in the EuroLeague. However, his return to practice did not go as planned. Just as he had started to get back on the court with the team, Grigonis was forced to leave the session due to a recurrence of the back pain.
This setback made it clear that his injury was not improving as hoped, and the conservative treatment was not enough to resolve the issue. Following this development, the club and medical staff decided that surgery would be necessary to address the problem permanently. According to SDNA’s Giorgos Zakkas, it became clear that Grigonis would not be able to avoid surgery, and the decision was made to proceed with the operation.
The Decision to Undergo Surgery
The news of Grigonis’ surgery was confirmed by the club, and it was announced that the surgery would take place on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. While the exact timeline for his recovery has not been provided, it is clear that the Lithuanian player will be sidelined for several more weeks as he undergoes the procedure and recovers from it. The surgery is expected to provide a permanent solution to his back issue, but the road to recovery will take time.
This news is undoubtedly a disappointment for Grigonis, who had hoped to return to action as soon as possible. However, the decision to undergo surgery, while difficult, is the best course of action to ensure that the injury is properly treated and does not continue to linger. For Grigonis, this surgery represents a critical turning point in his battle with the injury, and it is his hope that this will allow him to fully recover and return to his previous form.
Grigonis’ Impact on Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens
Before the injury, Marius Grigonis was an important player for Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in the EuroLeague. During the 2024-2025 season, Grigonis had appeared in four EuroLeague games, contributing 3.0 points, 1.0 assist, and 0.8 rebounds per game. While these numbers were relatively modest compared to his previous seasons, they reflected his important role as a reliable contributor in the backcourt and a steady presence on the court for his team.
Looking back at the previous season, Grigonis had been a more integral part of the team. In the 2023-2024 EuroLeague campaign, he played an average of 24:42 minutes per game, contributing 9.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. His performances last season demonstrated his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor, as he was a key player in helping Panathinaikos remain competitive in the highly competitive EuroLeague.
Grigonis’ absence due to injury has been keenly felt by the team, as his shooting, playmaking, and leadership have been sorely missed. Panathinaikos will now have to rely on other players to step up in his absence, but the hope is that once he recovers, Grigonis will return to the court as the same impactful player he was before the injury.
The Recovery Process After Surgery
Once Grigonis undergoes surgery on December 11, he will enter a recovery process that will likely take several weeks. Back injuries are notoriously tricky, and even with surgery, the road to recovery can be long and uncertain. It will be important for Grigonis to follow the advice of his medical team and focus on rehabilitation to ensure that he returns to full health.
The exact timeline for his recovery will depend on the outcome of the surgery and how well Grigonis’ body responds to the procedure. While it is difficult to predict precisely how long it will take, the general expectation is that he will be sidelined for at least a few weeks. Panathinaikos and Grigonis will be hoping for a smooth recovery process, allowing him to return to action as soon as possible and resume his role with the team.
Grigonis’ Career and Future Outlook
Marius Grigonis is now 30 years old, and this injury could prove to be a significant turning point in his career. Over the years, he has established himself as a solid and versatile player who can contribute to various aspects of the game, both in Europe and internationally with the Lithuanian national team. His performances in the EuroLeague, particularly during the 2023-2024 season, have shown his potential and importance to his team.
If Grigonis is able to fully recover from this surgery and return to his previous form, there is no reason why he cannot continue to play at a high level for several more years. However, back injuries can sometimes have lingering effects, and it will be important for the player and his medical team to monitor his condition closely. With the right care and rehabilitation, Grigonis could still have many productive seasons ahead of him.
For Panathinaikos, the hope is that this surgery will finally resolve the issue once and for all, allowing Grigonis to return to the court and continue to contribute to the team’s success. The club has invested in his talents, and they will be hoping that the surgery will set him on the path to a full recovery.
Conclusion
Marius Grigonis’ decision to undergo surgery on December 11, 2024, marks the latest chapter in his struggle with a persistent back injury that has kept him off the court for several weeks. The Lithuanian guard/forward had hoped to avoid surgery through conservative treatment, but after a failed attempt to return to practice, it became clear that the only viable option was to proceed with the operation. While the timeline for his recovery remains uncertain, Grigonis will miss several more weeks of action.
Grigonis’ absence has been felt by Panathinaikos, but the club and its supporters remain hopeful that once he recovers, he will return to his best form. His skills, leadership, and experience make him a valuable asset to the team, and the hope is that this surgery will allow him to overcome his injury and continue to contribute for many years to come. As Grigonis begins his recovery, both he and Panathinaikos are focused on the long-term goal: a full return to action and a successful conclusion to the season.
Oh great, just what we needed, another player going under the knife. Because clearly sitting on the sidelines for weeks wasn’t enough fun for Marius. I mean, who needs to play basketball anyway? Surgery is obviously the best way to improve your game, right? Can’t wait to see him back in action… oh wait, that might take a while. Maybe he can start a blog about his recovery process instead? It would be much more exciting than watching him play at this rate.
Yeah, because surgery is totally a walk in the park! Just slice him open and voilà! He’ll be dunking like Michael Jordan in no time! I’m sure he’s thrilled about spending his December preparing for a comeback that probably won’t happen until next season. Who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned medical drama in sports? Let’s just hope he doesn’t end up as the next cautionary tale of what happens when you ignore back pain! Fingers crossed!
Wow, so he went from hero on the court to patient in a hospital bed—how original! Clearly, getting surgery is the new trend among athletes these days. It’s not like anyone ever thought about just resting or doing physical therapy first. Nah, let’s go straight to surgery! I’m sure it’ll be super effective after all those weeks of not playing. Maybe they should hand out participation trophies for players who sit out due to injuries; at least then Marius can feel like he’s winning something.