Olympiacos expects Moustapha Fall return as rehab progresses and hopes grow for season comeback

Olympiacos are beginning to allow themselves a cautious sense of optimism. After months of uncertainty and concern, the Greek giants now believe that Moustapha Fall could return to action before the end of the season. It is a development that would feel almost like a new signing for Giorgos Bartzokas’ side, especially given the severity of the injury that once threatened to rule the towering center out for the entire campaign.

Fall’s long and demanding rehabilitation process has been conducted mostly away from the spotlight, but recent comments from Bartzokas have offered the clearest indication yet that the French big man is edging closer to a comeback. While there is still no definitive timetable, the tone has shifted from fear and patience to cautious hope.

A long road back after a devastating injury

Moustapha Fall’s injury came at the cruellest possible moment. During the Finals of the 2025 Greek Basket League Playoffs last June, the 33-year-old suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee. For a player whose game relies heavily on size, balance, positioning and mobility, the diagnosis was brutal.

Early projections were pessimistic. Internally, there was a real belief that Fall might miss the entire 2025–26 season. A patellar tendon rupture is among the most serious injuries a basketball player can face, often requiring close to a full year of recovery and, in some cases, permanently altering performance levels.

For Olympiacos, the blow was significant. Fall has been a central piece of Bartzokas’ system, offering rim protection, physicality, and intelligent passing from the post. His absence forced the Reds to adjust both tactically and psychologically, particularly in EuroLeague competition where margins are razor-thin.

Bartzokas delivers encouraging update

The first genuinely positive public update came after Olympiacos’ Round 11 Stoiximan GBL victory over Kolossos H Hotels Collection at the Peace and Friendship Stadium. Speaking to Greek public television ERT, Bartzokas struck a careful but hopeful tone.

“Rehab is going very well, according to the doctors,” he explained. “I have seen him sprinting on the court. We have to be careful, though. I believe he will return this season. I am not sure at what point in the year, but not any time soon.”

Those words were telling. Sprinting on the court is a major milestone for any player recovering from a knee injury of this magnitude. It suggests that Fall is not only pain-free in straight-line movement, but also regaining confidence in the strength of the joint.

At the same time, Bartzokas was keen to temper expectations. There is no rush, no pressure to accelerate the process. Olympiacos are fully aware that a setback at this stage could undo months of progress.

Why Moustapha Fall matters so much to Olympiacos

Credit Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Fall’s importance to Olympiacos goes beyond raw statistics. Standing at over seven feet tall, he brings a physical presence that few teams in Greece — or Europe — can match. His ability to protect the rim, alter shots, and control defensive rebounds allows Olympiacos to play aggressively on the perimeter.

Offensively, Fall is more than just a screen-setter. He is an intelligent passer who reads the game well, often finding cutters or shooters when defenses collapse on him in the paint. Bartzokas has long valued those qualities, especially in high-level EuroLeague matchups where decision-making under pressure is everything.

His absence has forced Olympiacos to rely more heavily on smaller lineups and alternative interior options. While the team has coped admirably, particularly in domestic competition, the lack of a true defensive anchor has been felt in Europe.

Injury list adds to the challenge

Fall is not the only concern on Olympiacos’ injury report. The Reds are currently navigating a demanding stretch with several key players sidelined or managing physical issues.

Tyson Ward is dealing with a leg problem, Shaquielle McKissic is nursing a thigh injury, and Keenan Evans continues his recovery from an Achilles issue. The cumulative effect has tested the depth and resilience of Bartzokas’ roster.

Speaking specifically about Ward, Bartzokas offered further insight into the cautious medical approach being taken.

“He recently had an MRI, and will have another over the next few days to see the bone, because he had a bone swelling, to what extent it has healed,” the coach explained.

These layered injury concerns make the potential return of Fall even more significant. His presence would ease the physical burden on teammates and give Olympiacos more flexibility as the season enters its most demanding phase.

Balancing domestic dominance and European ambition

Despite their injury woes, Olympiacos have been ruthless on the domestic front. An 11-0 record in the Greek league speaks volumes about their consistency and depth. Night after night, they have found ways to win, often without needing to reach top gear.

The EuroLeague, however, is a different story. With a 9-7 record, Olympiacos currently sit tenth in the standings, clinging to the lower end of the Play-In Showdown zone. The margins are tight, and every game feels like a potential turning point.

Their next challenge comes away against Virtus Bologna at the Virtus Arena, a fixture that rarely offers easy points. In that context, the knowledge that reinforcements could arrive later in the season provides both comfort and motivation.

Patience remains the priority

If there is one word Bartzokas continues to emphasise, it is patience. At 33, Fall is not a young player whose body will simply bounce back without careful management. The medical staff are taking a conservative approach, using regular imaging and on-court tests to monitor progress.

The mention of multiple MRIs underlines how closely the situation is being watched. Bone swelling, muscle response, and joint stability all need to be assessed before Fall can even be considered for contact training, let alone competitive minutes.

Olympiacos understand that a rushed return could jeopardise not just this season, but the remainder of Fall’s career. That is a risk they are not willing to take.

Psychological boost for the squad

Even before he steps back onto the court, Fall’s progress is already having a positive effect. Teammates have reportedly been encouraged by seeing him sprint, train, and gradually rejoin basketball activities. In elite sport, morale often hinges on small signs of progress.

Knowing that a respected figure like Fall is working his way back can lift spirits, especially during the grind of a long season filled with travel, pressure and physical fatigue.

For younger players in the squad, his recovery also serves as a lesson in professionalism and resilience — qualities that Bartzokas values deeply.

What a return could look like

When Fall does return, expectations will need to be realistic. He is unlikely to log heavy minutes immediately. Instead, a phased reintegration is expected, with carefully managed appearances designed to rebuild rhythm and confidence.

Even limited minutes could have a significant impact. A few defensive stops, a couple of strong rebounds, or simply his presence in the paint could alter the complexion of key games, particularly in the EuroLeague.

By the business end of the season, having Fall available — even at 80 percent — could prove decisive.

Hope, not haste, defines Olympiacos’ approach

Olympiacos expecting Moustapha Fall before the end of the season is not a promise, but it is a powerful statement of belief. After months of uncertainty, the narrative has shifted. The focus is no longer on what was lost, but on what might still be gained.

For now, the plan remains clear: protect the player, trust the process, and let the doctors dictate the pace. If everything continues to move in the right direction, Olympiacos may yet welcome back one of their most important figures at a moment when it matters most.

In a season already shaped by resilience and adaptation, Moustapha Fall’s return — whenever it comes — would feel like a reward for patience, professionalism, and belief.