The basketball club «Astana» wrapped up its away series in the VTB United League, playing against BC «UNICS» in Kazan on October 15 and BC «Samara» on October 19. The team suffered defeats in both matches.
The game against «UNICS» ended with a score of 97:81 (15-15, 25-24, 25-27, 32-15). The first two periods were evenly matched, with «Astana» holding an advantage at the end of the third. However, the fourth quarter proved decisive: team captain Rustam Murzagaliev and Grigory Motovilov were injured, and a few minutes later, Markell Johnson was forced to leave the game. With three key players out, the team could not maintain its lead.
The best player for «Astana» was Markell Johnson, who scored 26 points.
The second game of the away series against BC «Samara» was played under a short rotation. Rustam Murzagaliev and Grigory Motovilov hadn't recovered from their injuries, and with earlier injuries to TJ Starks and James Murray-Boyles, «Astana» played the game without four of its main players.
Alexander Orazbekov played his fifth game in the VTB United League.
The final score of the match was 91:57 (21-18, 20-14, 27-14, 23-11) in favor of «Samara.»
Head coach Fotis Takianos commented:
«The absence of players is creating big problems for us. Nevertheless, I would like to thank my team, especially the young players: they are playing despite everything.»
